259. Evaluation of Hearing Conservation Practices in an Industry with a High Rate of Workers' Compensation Claims for Hearing Loss

Steady increases in the cost of medical care, coupled with a rise in the fraction of workers who lack medical insurance, create incentives for workers who are injured off-the-job to file Workers' Compensation claims. Many analysts have interpreted the high rate of Monday injuries—especially hard-to-monitor injuries like back strains—as evidence of such claims. The analysis in this paper, however, which uses data on “first reports” of injuries filed with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry between 1985 and 1989, indicates that workers with low probabilities of medical coverage are no more likely to report a Monday injury than are other workers. Moreover, employers are no more likely to challenge the Monday injury claims of workers with low medical coverage rates than the claims filed by workers with high coverage rates.

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Noise Exposure Levels for Student Musicians

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2007.4034 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 160-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vanessa L Miller ◽

Michael Stewart ◽

Mark Lehman

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

University Student ◽

Conservation Practices ◽

Sporting Events ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Hearing Conservation ◽

Weighted Averages ◽

Exposure Levels ◽

Loud Music

Twenty-seven student musicians were surveyed regarding musical practice and playing habits, knowledge of hearing conservation practices, use of hearing protective devices (HPD), and the occurrence of tinnitus after exposure to loud music. In addition, noise exposure levels during practice and sporting events (football and basketball games) at which they played were monitored with a dosimeter simultaneously set to measure noise levels using the OSHA (1983) and NIOSH (1998) measurement criteria. Forty-eight percent of the subjects reported practicing or playing their instrument <10 hours a week. Most musicians (74%) reported having been taught about the effects of noise on hearing and health; however, less than a third used ear protection while playing their instruments, and those who did used it inconsistently. Sixty-three percent of subjects reported experiencing tinnitus after exposure to loud music. Finally, 8-hour time-weighted averages (TWA) and daily noise doses were significantly higher using the NIOSH measurement criteria than the OSHA measurement criteria. Both measurement criteria yielded values that exceeded a 100% daily noise dose for all subjects. Overall, these results indicate that university student directors and musicians appear to be at high risk for permanent noise-induced hearing loss secondary to excessive exposure to loud music. These results support the need for on-going hearing conservation programs to educate student musicians and student directors about the dangers of excessive exposure to loud music.

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

Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools ◽

10.1044/0161-1461.2201.308 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 308-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Gail D. Chermak ◽

Elizabeth Peters-McCarthy

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Regular Education ◽

Conservation Practices ◽

Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽

Educational Programming ◽

Health Habits ◽

Conservation Programs ◽

Hearing Conservation

An educational hearing conservation (HCP) program was designed and presented to 45 normal hearing third- and fourth-grade children enrolled in regular education programs. Questionnaires assessing knowledge of hearing, noise-induced hearing loss, and hearing conservation practices were administered prior to and following a HCP which consisted of a lecture, film, hearing screening demonstration, question and answer and discovery learning periods, and distribution of earplugs and a handout. Most children reported that they did not participate in noisy activities; however, of those who did participate an average of only 5.5% (2.5) reported use of ear protection. Knowledge about noise and noise-induced hearing loss increased an average of 23% following the HCP and 91.1% reported that they "learned something" from the HCP. Post-HCP responses revealed that 96.7% of the children intended to use ear protection when engaged in the depicted noisy activities. Although students indicated their intentions to pursue hearing conservation practices, follow-up studies are needed to determine whether hearing conservation programs are effective in establishing positive, long-term hearing health habits. School hearing conservation programs must be comprehensive in scope, including educational programming aimed at prevention and reduction of the prevalence of hearing loss, as well as identification and management of hearing loss.

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

Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools ◽

10.1044/0161-1461.2701.29 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 29-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

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.

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