A University of Minnesota research team led by Madeleine Kerr, PhD is performing research in the area of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), which is the most common occupational disease in the United States. University of Michigan researchers provide ongoing consultation. The purpose of the project is to identify an effective intervention to increase construction workers' use of hearing protection devices (HPDs).
Occupational hearing loss is the most common occupational disease in the United States (NIOSH, 1996). In keeping with the goals of Healthy People 2000 (USDHHS, 1990) and the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) (NIOSH, 1996), this research project is designed to develop, implement and evaluate an intervention to prevent occupational NIHL in the construction work sector, which represents approximately five million workers in the U. S.
The purpose of Dr. Kerr's project is to identify an effective intervention to increase workers' use of HPDs. The program uses the Predictors of Use of Hearing Protection Model (PUHPM) as a model for changing HPD use behavior.
Principal Investigator: Madeleine J. Kerr, PhD, RN
![Madeleine Kerr [portrait]](images/study/Kerr.gif)
An Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Dr. Kerr is the Principal Investigator for this study. Her PhD in Nursing from the University of Michigan focused on worker health promotion and protection, specifically preventing noise-induced hearing loss.
Originally from Québec, Canada, she has had a natural interest in a culturally diverse work force and their health challenges. For fun, she enjoys paddling a canoe or cross country skiing.
Co-Principal Investigator: Sally Lechlitner Lusk, PhD, FAAN, RN
Dr. Lusk is Professor, Community Health Nursing, and Director, Occupational Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Michigan. Her program of research on promoting the use of personal protective equipment to prevent disease, primarily hearing protection devices to prevent noise-induced hearing loss, is well established, with funding from NIH and NIOSH. She is currently the 1999-2000 American Academy of Nursing Senior Scholar at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Multimedia Developer: Matthew L. Arnold
Mr. Arnold, a co-owner of Mountain Muse Publications, serves the multimedia and web programming needs of the study. He has played an integral role in the conceptual, graphical and production aspects of developing the "Ear Force" program. Mr. Arnold holds a degree in Computer Science from Colorado State University.
Although he can think of nothing that he enjoys more than staring at buggy multimedia scripts into the wee hours, Mr. Arnold can also occasionally be convinced to go outside. Once he finds himself there, he will enthusiastically engage in ice hockey, cross-country skiing, canoeing and other mountain activities, until we make him go back to the office. Mr. Arnold requests that you please recycle this site when you are finished.
Multimedia Developer: Leslie Martel Baer, MA
Ms. Baer, owner of Mountain Muse Publications, provides project management and design services for the multimedia and web components of the project. In addition to providing educational content, she has developed visual elements and style parameters along with coordinating the electronic media with collateral print materials.
While beating her head against seemingly impossible deadlines and other solid objects is her favorite pastime, Ms. Baer also enjoys her '68 Volvo, faux caviar and a good glass of bubbly (but not at the same time).
Statistician: Kay Savik, MS
Ms. Savik is a graduate of the Biostatistics Department of the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. She holds a joint appointment in the School of Nursing and the Thoracic Transplant Center of the Academic Health Center. She consults with many researchers in both areas. When not contemplating the appropriate crunching of numbers, she is busy restoring an old home in St. Paul.
Industrial Hygiene Consultant: Lisa M. Brosseau, ScD, CIH
Dr. Brosseau is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. She directs the Industrial Hygiene masters/doctoral program within the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health. Her teaching and research interests focus on controlling worker exposures to aerosols.
She is currently involved in several research projects aimed at helping small businesses improve employee health and safety. Dr. Brosseau has her masters and doctoral degrees from the Harvard School of Public Health; she also worked as a loss control consultant for an insurance company.
Instructional Design Consultant: Pat Rizzi
Occupational Health Nursing Consultant: Deb Olson, MPH, RN, COHN-S
Ms. Olson is an Instructor and Deputy Director of the Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety, School of Public Health and adjunct instructor, School of Nursing. Her research and teaching interests include occupational health nursing roles and competencies, injury prevention and control, agricultural safety and health and innovative teaching methods that employ new technologies and involve distance learning.
Her community outreach activities include four years on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses and international teaching programs offered to the Occupational Health Nurses under contract to the U.S. Army Europe (CHPPM) as well as, "Technology Enhanced Learning: More than the WWW," a master class at the first International OHN Conference, Eastbourne, England.
Statistical Consultant: David L. Ronis, PhD
He is an Associate Research Scientist and Director of the University of Michigan's Statistical Consulting Team as well as holding an appointment in the VA. Most of his research concerns understanding individual's health related decisions and behaviors. His PhD is in Social Psychology from the Ohio State University. His hobby is the strategic card game "Magic: The Gathering."
Research Assistant: Jehad Adwan, RN, BSN
Mr. Adwan is a Fullbright scholar from Palestine working on his Master's degree in nursing education at the University of Minnesota and has been with the Ear Force Project since June 1999. He holds a three-year diploma from Baptist School of Nursing in Gaza, Palestine in 1993, and a baccalaureate degree from the Islamic University of Gaza in 1997. Adwan has worked as a nurse in the areas of Med/Surg, ER, Pediatrics, and NICU at Shifa Hospital in Gaza, and has also worked as a clinical instructor and an in-service education coordinator in Palestine School of Nursing Hospital.
Research Assistant: Leah Dvorak, RN, BSN, BS
Ms. Dvorak has been with the Ear Force Project as a research assistant off and on since 1997. She has been working on an oncology unit at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis as an RN for one year and will be transferred to Fairview-Southdale Hospital as a critical care nurse in January 2000. Her BS degree is in biology from University of Massachusetts.Her interests include gardening, knitting, quilting, and riding roller coasters. Her adventurous future activity is to hang glide.
Research Assistant: Calvin Greer, BSN, RN
Calvin is a junior-assistant scientist with the project. Prior to working in occupational health, Calvin was an Emergency Department nurse for almost 20 years and before moving to Minnesota worked in Hawaii, Florida and Louisiana. He is in the final year of a dual master's program in Public Health and Occupational Health Nursing at the University of Minnesota.
He is interested in a career in hearing protection, agricultural health or ergonomics after completing his studies. The parent (along with his wife Elanah) of twin 4-year-olds, Calvin also enjoys woodworking, playing guitar and bicycling.
Research Assistant: Wyn C. Huynh, MFA, BA
Mr. Huynh joined the Ear Force Project in June 1999. A career change has brought him to the University of Minnesota where he is currently completing his BSN degree. His extensive backgrounds in the arts and computer skills have supported the artistic dimension needed for this project. He enjoys painting, playing the piano, and gardening. He wishes that there were outdoor plants that could grow in the Ð30°F weather of Minnesota winters.
Research Assistant: Lori Johnson, RN, BSN
Ms. Johnson has been an RN working in the areas of critical care and homecare, including case management, since 1991. She graduated with a BSN from University of Minnesota in 1997. She has been working with the Ear Force Project off and on since 1997. Presently, she is pursuing a Master's of Public Health in environmental science with a focus in occupational health at the U of MN. Ms. Johnson enjoys skiing, scuba diving and traveling.
Research Assistant: Betty J. Schmidt, MS, RN, CS
Ms. Schmidt's master's in Nursing is from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Her area of study is health in chronic illness in the adult population with a focus on rehabilitation and self-care strategies. Her diverse nursing background brings years of professional activity that supports the individual's desire to create and manage their health. She enjoys reflective activity and people interactions.
Research Assistant: Amanda Yliniemi
Ms. Yliniemi is a level one nursing student at the University of Minnesota who joined the project in February 2000. She also works at Fairview University Medical Center as a nursing assistant. She studied Exercise Science at the UM-Duluth prior to coming to the Twin Cities. She is originally from Detroit Lakes, in rural Minnesota, and enjoys spending time outdoors and in the country.
