Perception and Attitudes of Firefighters on Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss

Abstract

Noise exposure of firefighters results in increased risk of hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can be prevented by the consistent use of hearing protection devices (HPDs). However, little is known about firefighters' perceptions and attitudes on NIHL and HPD use. The purposes of the study were (1) to identify common noise sources of fire fighting equipment and activities; and (2) to describe the attitudes and beliefs of firefighters concerning the importance of their hearing, occupational noise exposure, NIHL, and HPD use. A nonexperimental, descriptive focus group design was used to gather qualitative data from firefighters at two fire houses in southeast Michigan. The study identified sources of noise unique to fire fighting, such as driving fire/emergency trucks with sirens on; operating water pumps, saws, and other equipment; and shouting to communicate with civilians and fellow firefighters. Firefighters acknowledged the significance of good hearing in fire fighting service but perceived NIHL was unavoidable on the job and viewed it as a small risk compared with other hazards. HPDs were not used regularly because firefighters believed they interfered with the ability to hear commands during emergency conditions, interfered with other required safety equipment, and were generally forgotten when gearing up. Firefighters recognized the importance of hearing health and the benefit of a hearing conservation program, including annual training, and identified several topics that should be included in a training program. These findings will provide critical information in planning what type of program should be developed and carried out for the fire fighting population.

Incômodo causado pelo ruído a uma população de bombeiros

“…Os autores (22) evidenciaram que os bombeiros reconheceram a importância de uma boa audição no serviço de combate ao incêndio, porém, a perda auditiva foi considerada como um pequeno risco, quando comparada aos outros. Quanto ao uso de equipamento de proteção individual (EPI), acrescentaram que os bombeiros relataram que seu uso interfere na capacidade de ouvir os comandos durante situações de emergências.…”

Hearing problems among a cohort of nationally certified EMS professionals

“…The use of hearing protection among EMS professionals appears to be similar to that of other US workers [Kurmis and Apps, 2007]. These results may suggest that EMS professionals, like firefighters, are not aware of or do not take seriously the risk of hearing loss [Hong et al, 2008]. Of those who did utilize hearing protection, about equal numbers utilized head phonetype devices and foam ear plugs.…”

“…It has been asserted that firefighters are at risk for occupational, noise-induced hearing loss from exposure to hazardous levels of noise from sirens, air horns, and the engines of emergency vehicles [Hong and Samo, 2007]. Also, firefighters are at a greater risk of hearing loss than would be expected from aging alone [Tubbs and Flesch, 1982;Pepe et al, 1985;Hong and Samo, 2007;Ide, 2007;Hong et al, 2008].…”

Perception of hearing protectors by workers that participate in hearing preservation programs: a preliminary study

“…Presumably, the higher the level of worker's awareness about the importance of hearing prevention, provided by the years accumulated in the manufacturing unit HPP, the higher the importance given to the aspects of the hearing protector. Other studies indicate the importance of awareness about the hearing loss prevention, contributing thus for a better assessment and acceptance of hearing protectors by workers who are exposed to intense noise (9,12,17,(27)(28)(29) . With regard to the assessment of aspects regarding hearing protectors used by workers (Questionnaire 2), it has been seen, in general, that the best-assessed aspect was hearing protector placement (considered as the closest to judging as "easy placing," according to the questionnaire scale).…”