Hearing Conservation in Secondary Industrial Arts Classes A Challenge for School Audiologists

1985 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce L. Plakke

A survey of secondary industrial arts teachers was made to examine the use of hearing protection in industrial arts programs. The results showed the teachers had little knowledge of hearing conservation methods. All of the teachers had access to an audiologist but very few knew that an audiologist was available. They did say that they would consult with one if help were offered. Although 47% of the teachers believed that they had acquired an occupational hearing loss, they did not use personal hearing protection. The results pointed out the need for further education of industrial arts teachers and more use of school audiologists as consultants.

Author(s):  
David C. Byrne ◽  
Thais C. Morata

Exposure to industrial noise and the resulting effect of occupational hearing loss is a common problem in nearly all industries. This chapter describes industrial noise exposure, its assessment, and hearing disorders that result from overexposure to noise. Beginning with the properties of sound, noise-induced hearing loss and other effects of noise exposure are discussed. The impact of hearing disorders and the influence of other factors on hearing loss are described. Typically, noise-induced hearing loss develops slowly, and usually goes unnoticed until a significant impairment has occurred. Fortunately, occupational hearing loss is nearly always preventable. Therefore, this chapter gives particular attention to recommendations for measures to prevent occupational hearing loss such as engineering noise controls and hearing protection devices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Leshchinsky

Noise-induced hearing loss occurs among workers across a wide spectrum of industries. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether annual hearing testing contributed to a change in employees’ habits and awareness and aimed to evaluate the use of hearing protection at work and at home. Employees enrolled in a university’s hearing conservation program (HCP) were anonymously surveyed regarding their hearing protection habits and awareness of noise exposures on and off the job using a Likert-type scale. Approximately half were “very much” concerned about hearing loss over time. Evidence supports that annual testing, part of the workplace HCP, also led over half of participants to change their habits at work and at home. Awareness of noise exposures increased both at home and at work with annual testing. Overall, the HCP in this particular setting was associated with improved on-the-job and home hearing protection use.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Walter

In the past 10 years, educating university musicians about hearing protection for long-term career stability and success has become more common, as has the adoption of hearing conservation programs. The purpose of this study was to explore preservice music teachers’ self-reported use of earplugs. Undergraduate preservice teachers ( N = 129) were surveyed and results revealed that 21% ( n = 27) wore earplugs sometimes while practicing, rehearsing, performing, or teaching. While participants recognized that noise-induced hearing loss was preventable ( n = 124, 96%), 88% were seldom or sometimes concerned about their own hearing ( M = 2.39, SD = 1.05). Most participants believed that surgery and hearing aids were ways to correct noise-induced hearing loss ( n = 100, 78%). However, contrary to the preservice teachers’ beliefs, no viable correction is currently available for noise-induced hearing loss. Implications for further education are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 109-122
Author(s):  
Sylvanna L. Bielko ◽  
Khalid M. Khan ◽  
M. Margaret Weigel

HighlightsNoise-measuring applications (apps) and in-person classroom presentation were identified as the most preferred approaches by the college agriculture students.Multiple features of noise apps and in-person intervention were identified as beneficial.A subset of participants reported that a combination of approaches could influence hearing protection use.Abstract. Noise-induced hearing loss is a major public health challenge for agricultural communities. However, there is limited hearing conservation research addressing the issue, especially for youth and young adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions and practices of Indiana undergraduate students who lived or worked on a farm. The students were asked to rank the most common and current hearing conservation educational approaches, including in-person classroom presentation, mailers, and technology-based approaches, i.e., computer-based training, interactive websites, static websites, and smartphone noise-measuring applications (apps). A total of 91 undergraduate students enrolled in agriculture classes at four Indiana higher educational institutions participated in the study. They completed a sociodemographic and farm activity survey, followed by a 30-minute in-person presentation on hearing health conservation. After the presentation, each participant completed a questionnaire that included items about their perceptions of the feasibility, sustainability, rankings, and preferences of the various educational approaches discussed in the presentation. Participants ranked the noise-measuring app and in-person classroom presentation as their most preferred educational approaches for hearing conservation (39% and 28%, respectively). They identified multiple features of these two intervention approaches as beneficial. Sixty-four percent of participants indicated that a combination of approaches could influence hearing protection use and should include in-person classroom presentation and one of the technology-based approaches (noise-measuring apps, 37.3%). These findings are expected to assist health interventionists and program designers in developing future hearing protection education programs for farm youth, who may otherwise lack access to resources for preventing premature hearing loss due to loud noise exposure. Keywords: Agricultural workers, Hearing conservation, Hearing protection, Undergraduate college students, Youth education.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joong-Keun Kwon ◽  
Jiho Lee

Occupational hearing loss received attention after the Industrial Revolution and through World Wars I and II. It currently accounts for the largest portion of occupational diseases, and a third of all hearing loss is due to noise. Occupational hearing losses include noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), hearing loss caused by ototoxic substances and hearing loss caused by their complex interactions. In the case of NIHL, even when exposed to the same noise, the degree of hearing damage and recovery may vary from person to person, and also be affected by other noise in daily life. Various organic solvents and some heavy metals exposed in workplace are important causes of ototoxic hearing loss, and they are known to have additive or synergistic effects when accompanied by noise. In Korea, NIHL is the most common occupational disease and has been increasing continuously since the 1990s. The number of claims for compensation has also been increasing steadily. However, the developed country including Korea almost never considered the effects of chemicals on the diagnosis and compensation for hearing loss workers. Occupational hearing loss can be prevented through hearing conservation programs. In this chapter, we will introduce the scientific basis of noise induced hearing loss, the impacts of ototoxic substance and co-existence impact on hearing loss.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Federman ◽  
Erin Picou

Abstract Millions of people are exposed to loud music, either as musicians or as recreational consumers of music. Audiologists are in the best position to address hearing conservation problems for musicians and music listeners. However, the issue of music-induced hearing loss (MIHL) has unique challenges. Specifically, estimates of the size of the populations have likely underestimated the number of musicians at risk for MIHL. In addition, performance levels for musicians have been measured to be as loud as 109 dBA, and both professional and recreational listening devices can deliver sounds as loud as 130 dBA. However, compliance with conservation recommendations remains poor for a variety of reasons, despite increased awareness through educational campaigns. Moreover, methods to mediate exposure have had limited successes for both groups. The purpose of this paper is to assess the scope of the problem and the successes of current conservation strategies with the aim of inspiring renewed interest and solutions to the problems helping musicians and consumers protect their hearing.


2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
Ann E Curk ◽  
David R Cunningham

The present study was undertaken to investigate the behaviors and attitudes of percussionists regarding hearing conservation. Little is known about the frequency with which percussionists use hearing protection, the reasons for non-use, and their general knowledge about music-induced hearing loss. Using a written survey or personal interview, we surveyed approximately 500 amateur and professional percussionists who attended two local percussionists' conventions, which produced 283 completed surveys. This article describes the frequency of hearing protection device (HPD) use, reasons for non-use, types of HPD used, the advantages and disadvantages of wearing HPDs from the percussionists' point of view, sources where percussionists obtained information regarding HPDs, time of their most recent purchase, and accuracy of percussionists' knowledge of music-induced hearing loss and HPDs.


Author(s):  
David C. Byrne ◽  
Christa L. Themann ◽  
Deanna K. Meinke ◽  
Thais C. Morata ◽  
Mark R. Stephenson

An audiologist should be the principal provider and advocate for all hearing loss prevention activities. Many audiologists equate hearing loss prevention with industrial audiology and occupational hearing conservation programs. However, an audiologist’s involvement in hearing loss prevention should not be confined to that one particular practice setting. In addition to supervising occupational programs, audiologists are uniquely qualified to raise awareness of hearing risks, organize public health campaigns, promote healthy hearing, implement intervention programs, and monitor outcomes. For example, clinical audiologists can show clients how to use inexpensive sound level meters, noise dosimeters, or phone apps to measure noise levels, and recommend appropriate hearing protection. Audiologists should identify community events that may involve hazardous exposures and propose strategies to minimize risks to hearing. Audiologists can help shape the knowledge, beliefs, motivations, attitudes, and behaviors of individuals toward self-protection. An audiologist has the education, tools, opportunity, and strategic position to facilitate or promote hearing loss surveillance and prevention services and activities. This article highlights real-world examples of the various roles and substantial contributions audiologists can make toward hearing loss prevention goals.


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