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Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) continues to be a pervasive problem for the nation's workforce, particularly the nation's mining personnel. As one of the leading health and safety organizations in the world, the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) in Pittsburgh maintains a Hearing Loss Prevention Program (HLPP) to conduct research to reduce NIHL loss among the nation's miners. This document provides a brief overview of this HLPP, describing some of the research techniques involved in the development of engineering noise controls, methods for the development of administrative noise controls, and some of the products available to the public to protect the nation's workers hearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young musicians may be at risk for developing cochlear synaptopathy (CS), or hidden hearing loss (HHL), that could lead to permanent music-induced hearing loss (MIHL). Patients with CS often complain of tinnitus and/or difficulty understanding speech in noisy situations, even though traditional audiometric testing indicates normal hearing. The aim of this article was to determine the effects of including information about HHL on an Adopt-A-Band program involving college band members' concern about and self-efficacy toward the prevention of MIHL. We conducted a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Forty-eight band members participated in this study. Band members were randomly assigned to two Adopt-A-Band presentations, one with and one without information on HHL. Including information about HHL had no effect on these band members' concerns about and self-efficacy toward the prevention of MIHL. However, the Adopt-ABand program resulted in significantly increased concern for MIHL by 39.5% (p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 25-54.2), self-efficacy in its prevention by 79.1% (p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 66.9-91.2), and plans to use musicians' earplugs while playing by 67.4% (p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 53.4-81.45). Although inclusion of information about HHL did not have a significant effect, the Adopt-A-Band program, in general, significantly increased the immediate intent of these students to practice healthy hearing behaviors. Future research is needed to determine the long-term effects of using the Adopt-A-Band program with university marching bands' use of healthy hearing behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States and other parts of the world, recreational firearm shooting is a popular sport that puts the hearing of the shooter at risk. Peak sound pressure levels (SPLs) from firearms range from ~140 to 175 dB. The majority of recreational firearms (excluding smallcaliber 0.17 and 0.22 rifles and air rifles) generate between 150 and 165 dB peak SPLs. High-intensity impulse sounds will permanently damage delicate cochlear structures, and thus individuals who shoot firearms are at a higher risk of bilateral, high-frequency, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) than peer groups who do not shoot. In this article, we describe several factors that influence the risk of NIHL including the use of a muzzle brake, the number of shots fired, the distance between shooters, the shooting environment, the choice of ammunition, the use of a suppressor, and hearing protection fit and use. Prevention strategies that address these factors and recommendations for specialized hearing protectors designed for shooting sports are offered. Partnerships are needed between the hearing health community, shooting sport groups, and wildlife conservation organizations to develop and disseminate accurate information and promote organizational resources that support hearing loss prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many farmers and motorsports enthusiasts in rural areas attend tractor pulls, which are loud motorsport competitions using tractors and trucks with powerful, modified engines. The high noise levels experienced by farmers and motorsports fans in their recreational and occupational activities are not addressed by traditional hearing conservation programs. The University of Wisconsin-Madison audiology group has established an annual hearing loss prevention outreach project at the Dairyland Super National Truck and Tractor Pull in Tomah, Wisconsin. The objectives of the outreach are to provide hearing protection to those at the tractor pull, to document tractor pull noise levels, and to encourage tractor pull attendees to use hearing protection at work and in their other recreational activities. This study establishes that hearing loss prevention outreach at tractor pulls is necessary due to the high noise levels during the competitions. The number of earplugs distributed and the percentage of individuals who accept them indicates that this outreach is effective in the short term. It is yet to be determined if this type of hearing loss prevention project can create long-term shifts in cultural attitudes about rural noise and lead to increased hearing protection usage in the occupational and recreational lives of tractor pull attendees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mission of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is to generate new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and to transfer that knowledge into practice for the betterment of workers. Since its establishment in 1970, NIOSH has provided national and world leadership in efforts to prevent occupational hearing loss. In 1996, NIOSH established the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). Because occupational hearing loss is one of the most common occupational illnesses among American workers, it was identified as a priority research area, and a NORA Hearing Loss Team was established. The NORA Hearing Loss Team was composed of representatives from industry, academia, labor, professional organizations, and other governmental agencies. The team was tasked with developing a national research agenda for the prevention of occupational hearing loss. Each team member contributed to the original draft, which continued to evolve over time. The current document represents the culmination of several years of deliberation and revision with the goal of identifying needed research to prevent occupational hearing loss. This is Part 1 of the document, outlining research needs on the mechanisms and consequences of occupational exposure to noise and other ototoxicants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is tasked with generating new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and transferring that knowledge into practice for the betterment of workers. In 1996, NIOSH established the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), which identified occupational hearing loss as a priority research area. The NORA Hearing Loss Team, composed of representatives from industry, academia, labor, professional organizations, and other governmental agencies, has developed a national research agenda for the prevention of occupational hearing loss. This is Part 2 of that document, outlining research needed to address the problem through effective prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]