We expect that before making a decision to commit to the research study you may have many questions about what it entails.  Below are common questions, and their answers,  regarding the study.  If any of the responses below do not completely satisfy your curiosity, or if you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sharon at sharon.richman@yale.edu. 

If I decide to participate, what are my responsibilities?

If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to:

• Have a yearly test of the “fit” of your hearing protectors.  Based on the results of the test you may be asked to modify the way you use the hearing protectors in order to improve your hearing protection.  This procedure is similar to having a conventional hearing test with and without your hearing protection in place.

• Begin wearing an Exposure Smart Protector (ESP) device (described in more detail on page 3) in place of your normal hearing protection.  You will be asked to continue wearing the device until 2011.

• Be trained in how to use the ESP, how to properly maintain it, and how to download the electronic record of your daily noise exposure.

• Complete a baseline questionnaire concerning some aspects of your medical history, your hearing history, and recreational and occupational exposures of interest to the study team. 

• Complete an annual questionnaire about your use of hearing protection, your noise exposure at and away from work, and the comfort of your ESP device.

• Allow your exposure information to be anonymously linked to other information regarding noise exposure testing at your workplace, previous hearing tests you have had in the workplace, and previous audiometric questionnaires that you have completed in the workplace. 

• Receive copies of the results of your hearing protector fit tests, periodic hearing testing, and the results of noise exposure monitoring by the Exposure Smart Protector device for your own personal knowledge.

How much time per day will I have to invest to participate?

We expect that study participants will only have to invest 1-3 minutes extra per day to perform the daily download of their exposure information onto the available desktop computers. Each participant will also likely have to devote an additional 5-10 minutes of time per week for the maintenance and care of their Exposure Smart Protector (ESP) device. 

Will I get anything if I participate?

Yes.  Every participant in the study will receive a $100 yearly stipend for their time.  In addition, every time you log in and download your exposure data, you will receive 5 points.  Over time you will have the opportunity to redeem your accumulated points for a variety of different gift cards.

What is the duration of the study?

The study is expected to continue until July of 2011.  While we would love to have volunteers that participate for the full duration of the study, we understand that due to a variety of possible factors this may not always be possible, and that is ok. 

"Sometimes questions are more important than answers"

-Nancy Willard