The Effect of a School-based Intervention on Boys' ear and Hearing-Related Health literacy in Iran

Teenagers experience hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises. This study aimed to explore the effect of educational intervention on hearing health literacy in boy students.

This research was conducted experimentally on high school boy students in Sanandaj, Iran, in 2021. Using multi-stage cluster sampling, eight schools with 40 students were randomly selected for each group. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire with 42 questions assessing hearing-related health literacy. The intervention group received six sessions of 50-65 minutes of virtual education. Measures were administered prior to the intervention and at a two-week follow-up. The educational content was designed based on reliable sources and according to general, specific, and behavioral goals. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in their average scores in the domains of ear and hearing-related health literacy. After the educational program, the ear and hearing-related health literacy scores of the intervention group significantly improved (p<0.05) as follows: mean comprehension and evaluation skills (from 43.8±18.6 to 81.3±10.6), communicating skills (from 49.8±8.9 to 66.3±6.9), and the ability to apply hearing health information (from 25.6±14.5 to 56.9±11.9).

Virtual education is effective in increasing ear and hearing-related health literacy among school students.