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Costs and Effectiveness of Hearing Conservation Programs at 14 US Metal Manufacturing Facilities
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Dec 07 2017
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Source: Int J Audiol. 57(SUP1):S3-S11
[PDF-886.70 KB]
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Alternative Title:Int J Audiol
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Description:Objective
This study characterized overall and specific costs associated with hearing conservation programs (HCPs) at US metal manufacturing sites, and examined the association between these costs and several noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) outcomes.
Design
We interviewed personnel and reviewed records at participating facilities. We also measured noise for comparison to the ten-year average of measurements made by each facility. NIHL outcomes assessed included rates of standard threshold shifts (STS) and high-frequency hearing loss, as well as prevalence of hearing impairment, for each participating facility. We used linear regression to identify per-person HCP costs that best predicted the NIHL outcomes.
Study Sample
We evaluated 14 US metal manufacturing facilities operated by a single company.
Results
Annual HCP costs ranged from roughly $67,000 to $400,000 (average $308±80 per worker). Our full-shift noise measurements (mean 83.1 dBA) showed good agreement with the facilities’ measurements (mean 82.6 dBA). Hearing impairment prevalence was about 15% overall. Higher expenditures for training and hearing protector fit-testing were significantly associated with reduced STS prevalence. Higher training expenditures were also related to lower hearing impairment prevalence and high-frequency hearing loss rates.
Conclusions
HCP costs were substantial and variable. Increased workplace spending on training and fit-testing may help minimize NIHL.
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Pubmed ID:29216778
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC6188788
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