Abstract
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an irreversible chronic condition resulting from prolonged exposure to loud noise and represents a major global public health concern. Native American (NA) populations are particularly vulnerable due to social and occupational determinants that increase exposure to high-noise environments, including construction, manufacturing factory, farming, and forestry. Hearing health has deep cultural importance for NAs, as oral communication is central to transmitting traditional knowledge and cultural teachings. Despite this, limited research has examined noise exposure, hearing protection practices, and the lived experiences of hearing loss within NA communities.
This study explores NA tribal members’ experiences with noise exposure, hearing loss, and hearing protection practices to inform the development of a culturally grounded intervention for NIHL prevention.
This study applied a qualitative approach that utilized Talking Circles among 30 Native Americans from a rural Midwestern tribal community in the USA. Discussions explore participants’ experiences of noise exposure and resources related to hearing health, along with their perceptions and attitudes on NIHL and protection practices. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of California at San Francisco.
Findings highlight both historical and current hearing loss concerns, identify key occupational and community noise sources, and reveal limited access to hearing screening services, hearing protection devices, and hearing health education. Participants emphasize the need for culturally appropriate resources, community-based education, and intergenerational communication to promote hearing wellness.
This study provides foundational insight into the lived experience of NIHL among NA people and will guide the development of a culturally based intervention aimed at reducing NIHL prevalence and improving hearing health equity within NA tribal communities.
Notes
References:
1. Natarajan, N., Batts, S., & Stankovic, K. M. (2023). Noise-induced hearing loss. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(6), 2347. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12062347.
2. Lowe, J., Millender, E., & Best, O. (2022). Talking Circle For Young Adults (TC4YA) intervention: a culturally safe research exemplar. Contemporary Nurse, 58(1), 95–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2022.2080087.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Public and Community Health, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, Life Experiences, Native Americans
Recommended Citation
Kelley, Melessa N.; Wimbish-Tompkins, Rose; Lowe, John; Solorzano-Barrera, Camila; and Hong, Oi Saeng, "Lived Experiences of Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss Among Native Americans" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 41.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/41
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-29
Funder
National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR); National Institute of Health (NIH)
Lived Experiences of Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss Among Native Americans
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an irreversible chronic condition resulting from prolonged exposure to loud noise and represents a major global public health concern. Native American (NA) populations are particularly vulnerable due to social and occupational determinants that increase exposure to high-noise environments, including construction, manufacturing factory, farming, and forestry. Hearing health has deep cultural importance for NAs, as oral communication is central to transmitting traditional knowledge and cultural teachings. Despite this, limited research has examined noise exposure, hearing protection practices, and the lived experiences of hearing loss within NA communities.
This study explores NA tribal members’ experiences with noise exposure, hearing loss, and hearing protection practices to inform the development of a culturally grounded intervention for NIHL prevention.
This study applied a qualitative approach that utilized Talking Circles among 30 Native Americans from a rural Midwestern tribal community in the USA. Discussions explore participants’ experiences of noise exposure and resources related to hearing health, along with their perceptions and attitudes on NIHL and protection practices. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of California at San Francisco.
Findings highlight both historical and current hearing loss concerns, identify key occupational and community noise sources, and reveal limited access to hearing screening services, hearing protection devices, and hearing health education. Participants emphasize the need for culturally appropriate resources, community-based education, and intergenerational communication to promote hearing wellness.
This study provides foundational insight into the lived experience of NIHL among NA people and will guide the development of a culturally based intervention aimed at reducing NIHL prevalence and improving hearing health equity within NA tribal communities.
Description
Hearing loss has significant cultural impact on the life of Native Americans (NAs) who traditionally rely on oral communication. This native community based participatory qualitative study used culturally relevant Talking Circle approach to address hearing health disparity among NAs. The findings on the lived experience of NIHL among NA people will be used to design and implement a culturally based hearing loss prevention program in the NA tribal community.