scholarly journals The Impact of Annual Audiograms on Employee’s Habits and Awareness Regarding Hearing Protection and Noise Induced Hearing Loss, On and Off the Job

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Leshchinsky
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Conservation Program ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time ◽  
At Home

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.

Noise Exposure and Hearing Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Byrne ◽  
Thais C. Morata
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Disorders ◽  
Industrial Noise ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Protection Devices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Occupational Hearing Loss

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.

scholarly journals Hearing Conservation Program for Marching Band Members: A Risk for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su-Hyun Jin ◽  
Peggy B. Nelson ◽  
Robert S. Schlauch ◽  
Edward Carney
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Marching Band ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Partial Control ◽  
Single Measure ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Conservation Program ◽  
Hearing Thresholds

Purpose To examine the risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in university marching band members and to provide an overview of a hearing conservation program for a marching band. Method Sound levels during band rehearsals were recorded and audiometric hearing thresholds and transient otoacoustic emission were measured over a 3-year period. Musician's earplugs and information about hearing loss were provided to the students. The hearing thresholds of other college students were tested as a partial control. Results There were no significant differences in hearing thresholds between the two groups. During initial testing, more marching band members showed apparent high-frequency notches than control students. Follow-up hearing tests in a subsequent year for the marching band members showed that almost all notches disappeared. Persistent standard threshold shift (STS) across tests was not observed in the band members. Conclusion Band members showed no evidence of STS or persistent notched audiograms. Because accepted procedures for measuring hearing showed a lack of precision in reliably detecting early NIHL in marching band members, it is recommended that signs of NIHL be sought in repeated measurements compared to baseline audiograms rather than in a single measure (a single notch). A hearing conservation program for this population is still recommended because of lengthy rehearsal times with high sound-level exposure during rehearsals.

Results of Otologic Referrals in an Industrial Hearing Conservation Program

1981 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Dobie ◽  
Robert J. Archer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Referral Rate ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Specific Intervention ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Industrial Plants ◽  
Conservation Program ◽  
Exposed Workers ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

Baseline and periodic audiometry was performed on noise-exposed workers in 21 industrial plants. Workers showing moderate hearing loss, asymmetry, or significant threshold shifts were referred for otologic evaluation. The overall referral rate was 2.76%. Of 107 referrals, 53% had otologic diagnoses other than noise-induced hearing loss, or required specific intervention, or both. The results support the use of criteria at least as stringent as those used in this study.

The Effectiveness of an Interactive Hearing Conservation Program for Elementary School Children

1996 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail D. Chermak ◽  
Lori Curtis ◽  
J. Anthony Seikel
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Elementary School Children ◽  
Regular Education ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Loud Noise ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Conservation Program ◽  
Before And After

An educational hearing conservation program (HCP) emphasizing student participation and supplemental in-class activities led by a teacher was presented in two 1-hour sessions to two classes of fourth-grade children enrolled in regular education programs. Questionnaires assessing their knowledge of hearing, noise-induced hearing loss, and hearing conservation practices were administered before and after the HCP. Significant increases in knowledge concerning noise-induced hearing loss and hearing conservation practices were seen in both classes, with greater gain seen among students receiving more extensive supplemental activities. Post-HCP responses revealed that the majority of the children intend to use ear protection when engaged in noisy activities. Teachers indicated they would increase coverage of hearing and hearing conservation in their classrooms and use hearing protection when exposed to loud noise.

scholarly journals Prevention of the Evolution of Workers' Hearing Loss from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Noisy Environments through a Hearing Conservation Program

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 043-047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinicius Fonseca ◽  
Jair Marques ◽  
Flavio Panegalli ◽  
Claudia Gonçalves ◽  
Wesley Souza
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Noisy Environments ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Conservation Program ◽  
Hearing Damage

Introduction Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a serious problem for workers and therefore for businesses. The hearing conservation program (HCP) is a set of coordinated measures to prevent the development or evolution of occupational hearing loss, which involves a continuous and dynamic process of implementation of hearing conservation routines through anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and subsequent control of the occurrence of existing environmental risks or of those that may exist in the workplace and lead to workers' hearing damage. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the HCP in preventing further hearing loss in workers with audiograms suggestive of NIHL. The audiometric tests and medical records of 28 furniture company workers exposed to noise were reviewed and monitored for 2 years. Methods This retrospective, cross-sectional study examined five audiometric tests in the medical records (on admission and every semester) of 28 workers in a furniture company (totaling 140 audiometric exams) following the introduction of the HCP. Results Data analysis showed no differences between the audiometric tests conducted on admission and those performed every semester. Conclusions The HCP implemented was effective in preventing the worsening of hearing loss in workers already with NIHL when exposed to occupational noise. Therefore, such a measure could be useful for the employment of workers with hearing loss in job sectors that have noise exposure.

Effect over time of allopurinol on noise-induced hearing loss in guinea pigs: Efecto en el tiempo del alopurinol sobre la hipoacusia inducida por ruido en cobayos

2003 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annamaria Franzé ◽  
Luigi Sequino ◽  
Claudia Saulino ◽  
Giuseppe Attanasio ◽  
Elio Marciano
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Over Time
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