Effective Strategies in the Prevention of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (original) (raw)
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Epidemiological Evidence for the Effectiveness of the Noise at Work Regulations, RR669
2008
The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Regulations) are designed to minimise risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in the UK. The present study examined their effectiveness in a longitudinal field study, where participants were seen annually over a period of 3 years. Audiometric and otoacoustic emission measures were obtained in 154 recruits aged 18-25 years at risk of noise-induced hearing loss through occupational exposure and 99 non-exposed controls. The study had power to detect approximately 1-2 dB change per year, which is a smaller change than would be expected in the noise-exposed participants without protection. There were no significant effects on auditory function, or rate of change in function, of risk group when other potential explanatory variables were taken into account. Nor were there significant effects when contrasting exposed participants working in companies demonstrating relatively lower or higher compliance with the Regulations. Noise levels in exposed participants averaged approximately 88-89 dB(A) before accounting for hearing protection. The only significant effects on hearing demonstrated in the study were small effects of estimated social noise prior to the study, for example at nightclubs or from personal audio systems. Limitations of the study arise from the range of noise level encountered and the restricted duration of the study, which precludes showing longer-term effects. The companies involved in the study are not necessarily representative of the UK in terms of their compliance. Within these limitations, no evidence for lack of effectiveness of the Regulations was found. This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy. HSE Books
Noise Sources, Exposures and Controls in Small Enterprises in New Zealand
New Zealand Acoustics, 2016
There is little published data on noise sources related to occupational exposures, particularly in relation to small enterprises (SE's). Most published sound level surveys focus more on exposures and controls and provide little detailed evaluation of noise sources and transmission paths. This paper describes a multiple case study designed to identify, describe and evaluate noise exposures, sources, paths and control strategies used by 30 SE's (employee count less than 20) in "high", "moderate" and "low" risk industry sectors in New Zealand. Data collection involved workplace observations, noise assessments, semi-structured interviews, self-administered questionnaires, and reference to archival data. In addition to sound level measurements in work areas and personal dosimetry, assessments of each SE's conformance to current noise management standards were undertaken. Area and personal sound level exposures were found to vary considerably within the "high risk" (agriculture, manufacturing and construction; range 80-90 dB L Aeq,8h), "moderate risk" (cafes and restaurants; range 60-75 dB L Aeq,8h) and "low risk" sectors (preschools; range 70-80 dB L Aeq,8h). Generally noise sources and paths could be readily identified in the workplaces. The predominant noise control strategy in 90% of the industry sectors was minimisation, specifically the use of personal hearing protection. In most cases, noise management strategies aimed at the noise source and noise paths could have been investigated further by the management of the small business. The findings suggest that there needs to be significant changes in expectations with respect to noise management practices and solutions for small enterprises in particular. In addition, national strategies on the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) need to be designed from a small business perspective and where noise management interventions are seen as a benefit to the enterprise rather than a cost.
Effectiveness of a Tailored Intervention to Increase Factory Workers??? Use of Hearing Protection
Nursing Research, 2003
Background: In the United States it is estimated that more than 30 million workers are exposed to harmful levels of noise on the job. When engineering or administrative controls cannot be used to reduce noise, workers should always use hearing protection devices (HPDs) when exposed to loud noise to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Previous research has shown that workers do not always use HPDs when required; therefore, it is essential that workers assume personal responsibility for preventing NIHL by increasing their use of HPDs. Objectives: This study tested the effectiveness of an individually tailored multimedia intervention to increase use of HPDs by factory workers. Methods: A randomized controlled design was used to compare the effects of a tailored intervention (n = 446) with two other interventions (a nontailored predictor-based intervention (n = 447) and a control intervention (n = 432)) on workers' self-reported use of HPDs 6 to 18 months following the intervention. Results: Only those workers receiving the tailored intervention significantly increased their use of HPDs from pretest to posttest. However, this increase significantly differed from the nontailored group but not from the control group. Conclusions: Individually-tailored interventions offer promise for changing behavior. In light of the similarity between the results for the tailored intervention and the control intervention groups, further research is needed to understand barriers to HPD use and how to maximize the benefits of individually tailored interventions in this setting.
CONTROLLING OF NOISE EXPOSURE AT THE WORKPLACE
POLITEHNIKA 2017, 2017
Noise at work can cause hearing damage that is permanent and disabling. This can be hearing loss that is gradual because of exposure to noise over time, but also damage caused by sudden, extremely loud noises. The damage is disabling as it can stop people being able to understand speech, keep up with conversations or use the telephone. This paper presents the European Union regulations on minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from noise and its implementation in the developing countries in relation to: - the harm that noise can cause; - identifying if there is a problem with noise at the workplace; - controlling noise and preventing harm
International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, 2015
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 worke...
Effect of daily noise exposure monitoring on annual rates of hearing loss in industrial workers
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2010
Objectives-Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is prevalent, yet evidence on the effectiveness of preventive interventions is lacking. The effectiveness of a new technology allowing workers to monitor daily at-ear noise exposure was analysed. Methods-Workers in the hearing conservation program of an aluminium smelter were recruited because of accelerated rates of hearing loss. The intervention consisted of daily monitoring of atear noise exposure and regular feedback on exposures from supervisors. The annual rate of change in high frequency hearing average at 2, 3 and 4 KHz before intervention (2000-2004) and 4 years after intervention (2006-2009) was determined. Annual rates of loss were compared between 78 intervention subjects and 234 controls in other company smelters matched for age, gender and high frequency hearing threshold level in 2005. Results-Individuals monitoring daily noise exposure experienced on average no further worsening of high frequency hearing (average rate of hearing change at 2, 3 and 4 KHz=-0.5 dB/ year). Matched controls also showed decelerating hearing loss, the difference in rates between the two groups being significant (p<0.0001). Analysis of a subset of intervention subjects matched to controls for initial rate of hearing loss showed a similar trend but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.06). Conclusion-Monitoring daily occupational noise exposure inside hearing protection with ongoing administrative feedback apparently reduces the risk of occupational NIHL in industrial workers. Longer follow-up of these workers will help determine the significance of the intervention effect. Intervention studies for the prevention of NIHL need to include appropriate control groups. BACKGROUND Noise is one of the most prevalent occupational hazards, and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common occupational diseases. 1 Despite widespread implementation of hearing conservation programs in workplaces over recent decades, NIHL
Occupational Noise Pollution and Hearing protection in selected industries
The use of technology in industries is ever increasing. With the introduction of this technology come new safety and human performance concerns. Hearing loss caused by industrial noise has been recognized for many years, and protection of employee hearing has been made mandatory by governmental agencies. This paper presents an investigation of occupational noise exposure and Personal hearing protective devices (PHPD) in selected industries in the south-eastern Iran. A questionnaire has been used to collect data for workers with high noise exposure and Personal hearing protective devices (PHPD). The subjects were 354 industrial workers expose to noise pressure levels greater than the action level defined in Iranian legislation (85dB (A) 8h/d. The results of this study indicated that only younger workers with minor professional experience and with high educational background are used PHPD to protect and preserve their hearing. The finding of this study shows that approximately 75% of the workers with age 18-36 reported the use of personal protective Devices at all the time, and 73% of workers with age more than 46 years old reported that they had never used them PHPD, even though it was mandatory in their workplaces. Statistical data show that, the percentage of male workers (82) with age more than 37 years old having headaches at workplace are higher than female (3.4) with the same age groups. A noise training and education program must be developed for industrial employees in order to protect them from hazardous noise pollution. Employers must play an important role in promoting the regular use of Personal hearing protective devices. Noise level in work areas must be considered in the early design of Hearing Conservation Program.
Noise exposure and induced hearing loss to workers in small and large scale industries
International Journal of Engineering & Technology
The purpose of this research is to determine the level of noise exposure to workers and to recommend how to manage the occupational high level of noise, understanding the workers noise exposure and providing personal ear protectors is the responsibility of employers. After visiting almost all the industries it was noticed that none of these industries are following these requirements. Knowing that expo- sure to excessive noise can cause health problems including temporary or permanent hearing loss, concentration problems, stress, nerv- ousness, sleeping problems and fatigue. The noise levels was measured in different industrial settings in North Cyprus using a noise detecting equipment, cirrus 273 integrated sound level meter with octave band filters. The Safety and health standards for noise exposure were used as the benchmark for our data analysis. Questionnaires were designed to determine how much employees were affected by high noise levels in the workplace. Data’s were analyzed...