Prevalence of Hearing Protection Device Non-Use among Noise-exposed U.S. Workers in 2007 and 2014

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Am J Ind Med
• Personal Author:
  Green, Deirdre R. ; Masterson, Elizabeth A. ; Themann, Christa L.
• Description:
  Background:
  
  This study estimated the prevalence of hearing protection device (HPD) non-use among US workers exposed to hazardous workplace noise and provided risk estimates.
  
  Methods:
  
  Self-reported data from the National Health Interview Survey in 2007 (15,852 workers) and 2014 (23,656 workers) were examined. Weighted prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratios of HPD non-use (using HPDs half the time or less when exposed to hazardous noise) were estimated by demographic, industry and occupation. Differences in the prevalences of non-use were estimated and compared.
  
  Results:
  
  The prevalence of HPD non-use was 53% among all noise-exposed workers in 2014. Workers in the Accommodation and Food Services industry had the highest prevalence (90%) and risk (PR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.54-3.96) of HPD non-use. The industries with the lowest prevalences of noise exposure, including Finance and Insurance (2%) and Health Care and Social Assistance (4%), had some of the highest prevalences of HPD non-use (80% and 83%, respectively). There were no statistically significant changes in HPD non-use among industries between 2007 and 2014. Among occupations, HPD non-use increased 37% in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, and decreased 39% in Architecture and Engineering.
  
  Conclusion:
  
  The prevalence of HPD non-use remains high; especially within industries and occupations with fewer noise-exposed workers. These groups need targeted attention to increase awareness and compliance. Employers should require HPD use and trainings among noise-exposed workers and provide an assortment of HPDs tailored to noise level and type, workplace environment, communication and audibility needs, and individual comfort and convenience.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Ear Protective Devices Hearing Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced Humans Noise, Occupational Occupational Exposure Prevalence
• Source:
  Am J Ind Med. 64(12):1002-1017
• Pubmed ID:
  34597431
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC9020887
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States/
• Volume:
  64
• Issue:
  12
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:6f29dc657938506f5af06d566c599646455671cddd0f8fad081c89c0d4deeaa8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/116642/cdc_116642_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 344.21 KB ]