Relationship Between Work-Related Factors and the Use of Hearing Protection Devices in Noisy Workplaces: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study investigates the factors influencing the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) in noisy workplaces, focusing on behavior motivation, hearing protection constraints, and risk justification. It also examines how these factors are linked to employees' risk-taking behaviours, workplace social performance, and social- and innovation-oriented lifestyles. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 423 employees from various industrial sectors. Data collection involved a Demographic Data Form, the Turkish adaptation of the Hearing Protection Assessment Scale, and a research scale assessing risk-taking behavior, social-oriented lifestyle, innovation-oriented lifestyle, and workplace social performance. For data analysis, Spearman's rho correlation tests, the MannWhitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis H test, and the chi-square test were used. Results: Significant relationships were found between risk-taking behaviors and barriers to HPD use, as well as between workplace social performance and factors supporting HPD use. A social-oriented lifestyle (SOL) (r=0.183, p<0.01) and an innovation-oriented lifestyle (r=0.121, p<0.05) were positively associated with behavior motivation for HPD use. A SOL played a dual role, promoting supportive factors while mitigating barriers to HPD use (r=-0.103, p<0.05). Additionally, industry type, education level, hearing protection training, and type of preferred hearing protection significantly influenced attitudes toward HPD use. Conclusion: Risk-taking behaviors negatively impact HPD use, whereas workplace social performance and social- and innovation-oriented lifestyles encourage safer behaviors. Organizational support, training, and a positive workplace culture enhance hearing protection compliance. Strategies to improve HPD adoption should integrate both individual and workplace-level interventions, emphasizing safety culture, peer influence, and behavioral motivation.