20. Hearing Sensitivity of Workers Enrolled in a Hearing Conservation Program Based on a Conservative Classification of 85 dBA Criterion/3dB Doubling Noise Exposure Data

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Norman ◽  
R. Oestenstad
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Conservation Program ◽  
Hearing Sensitivity ◽  
Exposure Data

scholarly journals Predicting standard threshold shifts for occupational hearing loss among miners at a large-scale platinum mine in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 121 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
L. Ntlhakana ◽  
G. Nelson ◽  
K. Khoza-Shangase ◽  
I. Maposa
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
South African ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Exposure Data ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Left And Right

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is associated with various risk factors in South African mines. We investigated the association between standard threshold shifts (STSs) and exposure to noise and platinum mine dust (PMD), using demographic data, five years of annual audiometry screening results, and noise and dust exposure data. Miners' age, sex, percentage hearing loss (PLH), and dust and noise exposure data were gathered, and a linear mixed effects regression model used to predict STS. Average occupational exposure levels to noise and dust were calculated from recorded measurements. A total of 12 692 records were analysed. Most miners were male (89.6%) and more than 50% were younger than 41 years. More than 70% were exposed to > 85 dBA noise and 58% were exposed to 1.5-2.99 mg/m3 PMD. Changes in hearing levels ranged from 8.3 dBHL at baseline (2014/2015) to 10 dBHL in 2016 (STS), with no changes thereafter. The model showed that the estimated effect on STS for males was 27% and 21% higher than for females, for the left and right ear, respectively The estimated effect of age, PLH, noise exposure and years of exposure on STS was < 10% for each variable. There was no statistically significant association between PMD and STS. The combined effects of age, sex, years of exposure to noise, and noise exposure levels, and strength of associations can be used to predict STS for this group of miners. Our findings may be used to measure the efficacy of the mine's hearing conservation programme.

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.

What Makes a Successful Hearing Conservation Program?

AAOHN Journal ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 321-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Rogers ◽  
Denai Meyer ◽  
Carol Summey ◽  
Dawn Scheessele ◽  
Terry Atwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Interdisciplinary Team ◽  
The United States ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Conservation Program ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Time Weighted Average

Although preventable, hearing impairment is one of the most prevalent disabilities in Western societies. In the United States, approximately 30 million individuals are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss and 22 million individuals between the ages of 20 and 69 have permanently damaged their hearing by exposure to loud sounds or noise in their environment. Both work-related and recreational noise exposure affect an individual's hearing. Legislation in 1969 and later in 1983 established standards mandating that all workers exposed to noise levels at or greater than 85 dBA time-weighted average be placed in a hearing conservation program that includes provision of hearing protective devices. This article discusses components of an effective hearing conservation program, and the roles and functions of interdisciplinary team members in making a hearing conservation program successful.

Noise-Induced Balance Loss? Rethinking Clinical Implications of Noise Exposure

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1418-1422
Author(s):  
Bre Myers ◽  
J. Andrew Dundas
Keyword(s):  
Vestibular System ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Exposed Population ◽  
Auditory Systems ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Balance Loss ◽  
Cross System

Purpose The primary aim of the current article is to provide a brief review of the literature regarding the effects of noise exposure on the vestibular and balance control systems. Although the deleterious effects of noise on the auditory system are widely known and continue to be an active area of research, much less is known regarding the effects of noise on the peripheral vestibular system. Audiologists with working knowledge of how both systems interact and overlap are better prepared to provide comprehensive care to more patients as assessment of both the auditory and vestibular systems has been in the audiologists' scope of practice since 1992. Method A narrative review summarizes salient findings from the archival literature. Results Temporary and permanent effects on vestibular system function have been documented in multiple studies. Hearing conservation, vestibular impairment, and fall risk reduction may be more intimately related than previously considered. Conclusions A full appreciation of both the vestibular and auditory systems is necessary to address the growing and aging noise-exposed population. More cross-system studies are needed to further define the complex relationship between the auditory and vestibular systems to improve comprehensive patient care.

Vocal Performance Teachers and Hearing Loss

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-24
Author(s):  
Vance Gunnell ◽  
Jeff Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Otoacoustic Emissions ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Vocal Performance ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Occupational Noise Exposure ◽  
Distortion Product ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Performance Teachers

Hearing thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured for teachers of vocal performance who were gathered for a national conference. Results showed mean audiometric thresholds to be consistent with noise induced hearing loss, more than what would be expected with normal aging. Years of instruction and age were considered as factors in the hearing loss observed. It was concluded that hearing conservation should be initiated with this group to help raise awareness and protect them from hearing loss due to occupational noise exposure.

Database for a hearing conservation program

2000 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilmari V. Pyykkö ◽  
Esko M. Toppila ◽  
Jukka P. Starck ◽  
Martti Juhola ◽  
Yrjö Auramo
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Conservation Program

scholarly journals Case Study in a Working Environment Highlighting the Divergence between Sound Level and Workers’ Perception towards Noise

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6122
Author(s):  
Chun-Yip Hon ◽  
Illia Tchernikov ◽  
Craig Fairclough ◽  
Alberto Behar
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Noise Measurements ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Excessive Noise

Excessive noise levels are a prevalent issue in food processing operations and, although there have been numerous studies on occupational noise, no single study has used a concurrent mixed-methods approach. Employing this study design allows for an understanding of the level of convergence (similarity) between measured noise levels and workers’ attitudes and perceptions towards noise. This, in turn, allows for the identification of potential challenges with respect to the implementation of hearing conservation efforts. In this study, spot noise measurements were collected using a sound level meter. One-on-one interviews were conducted with workers to determine attitudes and perceptions towards noise in their workplaces. Subsequently, the results of the noise measurements (quantitative data) were integrated with the survey responses (qualitative data) to identify convergence. The majority of the noise measurements were found to exceed 85 dBA—the criterion mandated by the local occupational health and safety legislation. Although all study participants felt that it was noisy in the workplace, a large proportion of respondents indicated that the noise was not bothersome. With workers’ perception being contradictory to the measured noise levels, it is a challenge to implement hearing conservation measures unless changes are made to raise the awareness of the risks associated with excessive noise exposure.

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