The impact of hearing conservation programs on incidence of noise-Induced hearing loss in Canadian workers

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 923-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh Davies ◽  
Steve Marion ◽  
Kay Teschke
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
The Impact

Field Monitoring of Otoacoustic Emissions During Noise Exposure: Pilot Study in Controlled Environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (3S) ◽  
pp. 352-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Nadon ◽  
Annelies Bockstael ◽  
Dick Botteldooren ◽  
Jérémie Voix
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Hearing Status

Purpose In spite of all the efforts to implement workplace hearing conservation programs, noise-induced hearing loss remains the leading cause of disability for North American workers. Nonetheless, an individual's susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss can be estimated by monitoring changes in hearing status in relation to the level of ambient noise exposure. The purpose of this study was to validate an approach that could improve workplace hearing conservation practices. The approach was developed using a portable and robust system designed for noisy environments and consisted of taking continuous measurements with high temporal resolution of the health status of the inner ear using otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Method A pilot study was conducted in a laboratory, exposing human subjects to industrial noise recordings at realistic levels. In parallel, OAEs were measured periodically using the designed OAE system as well as with a commercially available OAE system, used as a reference. Results Variations in OAE levels were analyzed and discussed along with the limitations of the reference and designed systems. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the monitoring of an individual's OAEs could be useful in monitoring temporary changes in hearing status induced by exposure to ambient noise and could be considered as a new tool for effective hearing conservation programs in the workplace.

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.

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

1991 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 308-312 ◽  
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.

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.

Comparison of Tinnitus Characteristics and the Impact on Patients with Presbycusis and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. P199-P200
Author(s):  
Leticia S. Rosito ◽  
Celso Dalligna ◽  
Daniela P. Dalligna ◽  
Konrado M. Deutsch ◽  
Giuliana Beduschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Prevalence of Occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) among industrial workers in Bhutan.

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Pelden Wangchuk ◽  
Phuntsho Dendup
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
Industrial Workers ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Strict Enforcement ◽  
Hearing Assessment

Introduction: Exposure to any type of noise has a potential risk. Higher the level of noise and longer duration of exposure, the more the risk for the hearing sensitivity and health as a whole. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) among the industrial workers in Bhutan and to ascertain high risk establishment and vulnerable occupations. Methods: The hearing assessment was conducted among 1638 workers considering different types of industries and occupations to ascertain the prevalence of occupational noise induced hearing loss and vulnerable group amongdifferent industries and occupations. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed to test the significance of ONIHL among the various independent variables. Results: The study found that the prevalence of ONIHL stands at 27.9% among industrial workers in Bhutan. 42.45% of candidates who had ONIHL reported with tinnitus in either or both ears. This study founda significant association between the exposure duration and the severity of ONIHL among the industrial workers. Considering the type of industry, wood based industry, hydro services, cement and polymer were found to have a higher prevalence of ONIHL and similarly, higher prevalence of ONIHL were found among occupations such as blaster, chipper, carpenters, dryer (knife grinder) and crusher operators. Conclusions: This study conduces that prevalence of ONIHL among industrial workers is found to be at the higher side and some of the occupations and industries impose higher risk. The study suggests that there is need for intervention such as strict enforcement of the permissible exposure limit, monitor and evaluate hearing conservation programs, and providing advice and recommendation to address such issues by the relevant agencies and industries

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