Feasibility of a Daily Noise Monitoring Intervention for Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cantley LF ; Dixon-Ernst C ; Galusha D ; Neitzel R ; Rabinowitz P
• Description:
  Background: Despite the existence of hearing conservation programmes complying with regulatory standards, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains one of the most prevalent occupational diseases. Compulsory daily monitoring of noise exposure has been associated with decreased NIHL risk. We report on the experience of a voluntary daily noise monitoring intervention among noise-exposed workers. Methods: Workers at three locations of a metals manufacturing company voluntarily used an in-ear noise monitoring device that could record and download, on a daily basis, the noise exposure inside of their hearing protection. We compared the hearing loss rates (in decibels hearing level/year) in these volunteers to controls from the same company matched for job title, age, gender, race, plant location, and baseline hearing level. Results: Over the follow-up period, 110 volunteers for whom controls could be identified monitored daily noise exposures an average of 150 times per year. Noise exposures inside of hearing protection were lower than ambient noise levels estimated from company records. While there was no significant difference in hearing loss rates between volunteers and controls, volunteers downloading exposures 150 times per year or had less hearing loss than those who downloaded less frequently. Conclusion: These results indicate that voluntary daily noise exposure monitoring by workers is feasible and that greater frequency of downloading is associated with less hearing loss. If further development of noise monitoring technology can improve usability and address barriers to daily use, regular self-monitoring of noise exposure could improve the effectiveness of hearing conservation programmes. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environmental Exposure Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Men Noise Noise, Occupational Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Women Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Diseases Exposure Levels Humans Manufacturing Metal Industry Workers Monitoring Systems Noise Exposure Noise Induced Hearing Loss Noise Protection Risk Factors Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  1351-0711
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Connecticut ; Michigan ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Pennsylvania ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  78
• Issue:
  11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20063029
• Citation:
  Occup Environ Med 2021 Nov; 78(11):835-840
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr Peter Rabinowitz, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
• Email:
  peterr7@uw.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington, Seattle
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20070701
• Source Full Name:
  Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20170630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:17f714963f1f9159f3785fef1f6b2e48218af6e929dced9fabfdae23f61437bd7610ef3748dca2f0f8e8e26d0ebc331ad81df3e883acce5c0d6d56a364b01d7a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/226160/cdc_226160_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 239.85 KB ]