HoorToren program to prevent noise-induced hearing loss in primary school children

Effectiveness of an Educational Program in Primary Schools to Prevent Noise-induced Hearing Loss

This project will test whether the HoorToren classroom program helps 10–11-year-old Dutch children and their parents adopt safer headphone listening habits to reduce noise-related hearing damage.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 600 (estimated)
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Erasmus Medical Center (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Rotterdam)
• Trial ID: NCT07513077 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial compares group 7 (age 10–11) children and their parents who receive the HoorToren educational package with those who do not receive the lessons. The primary outcome focuses on the child's safe listening behavior, reported by the child or parent, with a smartphone app used as an important secondary measure of listening exposure. The study also measures parents' perceptions and behaviors that promote safe listening, plus psychological determinants of behavior change in both children and parents. Schools that previously delivered HoorToren in group 6 are excluded to avoid prior exposure bias.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Dutch primary school children in group 7 (about 10–11 years old) who can read and write Dutch and whose legally authorized parent or guardian provides informed consent, plus those parents.

Not a fit: Children or parents who cannot read or write Dutch, children without parental consent, and schools that already taught HoorToren in group 6 are not eligible and therefore will not receive the program benefits.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce future noise-induced hearing loss by encouraging safer headphone use among children and supporting parents to reinforce those behaviors.

How similar studies have performed: Comparable school-based safe-listening and hearing-education programs have produced short-term gains in knowledge and self-reported safe-listening behaviors, though evidence of long-term reductions in hearing loss is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

For schools: None.

For children:

* Dutch primary school children in group 7 (corresponding to Year 6 in the UK).
* Informed consent from legally authorized parent(s) or guardian(s).

Parents:

• Child is participating.

Exclusion Criteria:

For schools:

• HoorToren package has been taught at group 6 in the previous school year.

For children:

* Children without informed consent from legally authorized parent(s) or guardian(s).
* Children who cannot read and write Dutch.

For parents:

• Parents who cannot read and write Dutch

Where this trial is running

Rotterdam

• Erasmus University Medical Center — Rotterdam, Netherlands (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Willemijn van Diemen, Master of science.

Conditions Effectiveness of Application Education Intervention; Noise Induced Hearing Loss; Behavior Change Interventions; Primary School Children; Noise-induced hearing loss; Prevention; Primary school; Randomized controlled trial