Prevalence of hearing protection device non‐use among noise‐exposed US workers in 2007 and 2014

Abstract

Background This study estimated the prevalence of hearing protection device (HPD) non‐use among US workers exposed to hazardous workplace noise and provided risk estimates. Methods Self‐reported data from the National Health Interview Survey in 2007 (15,852 workers) and 2014 (23,656 workers) were examined. Weighted prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratios of HPD non‐use (using HPDs half the time or less when exposed to hazardous noise) were estimated by demographic, industry, and occupation. Differences in the prevalences of non‐use were estimated and compared. Results The prevalence of HPD non‐use was 53% among all noise‐exposed workers in 2014. Workers in the Accommodation and Food Services industry had the highest prevalence (90%) and risk (PR: 2.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.54–3.96) of HPD non‐use. The industries with the lowest prevalences of noise exposure, including Finance and Insurance (2%) and Health Care and Social Assistance (4%), had some of the highest prevalences of HPD non‐use (80% and 83%, respectively). There were no statistically significant changes in HPD non‐use among industries between 2007 and 2014. Among occupations, HPD non‐use increased 37% in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, and decreased 39% in Architecture and Engineering. Conclusion The prevalence of HPD non‐use remains high; especially within industries and occupations with fewer noise‐exposed workers. These groups need targeted attention to increase awareness and compliance. Employers should require HPD use and trainings among noise‐exposed workers and provide an assortment of HPDs tailored to noise level and type, workplace environment, communication and audibility needs, and individual comfort and convenience.

Impacts of noise-induced hearing loss on sleep, health, and workplace: Multi-group analysis

“…However, in smaller workplaces or where there is a lack of organized health management and on-site monitoring, protection is often not worn. Hearing protection nonuse was most prevalent in the accommodation and food services (147 %), healthcare and social assistance (122 %), and educational services (128 %) industries, with mining workers at the highest risk of nonuse, and 65 % nonuse in food preparation and serving-related industries [ 8 ].…”

“…Prevention strategies involve using protective devices, reducing noise exposure, and regular auditory check-ups [ 6 , 7 ]. These exposures are not only linked to auditory issues but also to a wide range of psychological and cardiovascular problems, including tinnitus, depression, hypertension, and sleep disturbances, impacting a significant number of the workforce [ 8 , 9 ]. Research indicates a robust connection between NIHL and sleep disruptions, suggesting that continuous noise exposure, whether from industrial activities or environmental sources like wind turbines, severely affects sleep quality.…”

Audiometric data analysis for prevention of noise‐induced hearing loss: A new approach

“…This ISO standard has not been widely adopted or tested in occupational hearing conservation practice in the USA. Neither of the major industrial hygiene professional organizations—the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) nor the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)—has published methods or guidelines for audiometric data analysis to complement standardized methods of noise exposure. NIOSH's Occupational Hearing Loss Surveillance Project has amassed a “convenience sample” of over 15 million audiograms collected from the private sector, but has not conducted any longitudinal trend analyses on this data 4 . NIOSH's current hearing loss prevention research agenda appears focused on conducting cross‐sectional studies exploring the magnitude of NIHL prevalence in selected industries, and estimating the extent of (non)compliance with HDPs among US workers exposed to hazardous workplace noise 79 …”

“…NIOSH's Occupational Hearing Loss Surveillance Project has amassed a “convenience sample” of over 15 million audiograms collected from the private sector, but has not conducted any longitudinal trend analyses on this data 4 . NIOSH's current hearing loss prevention research agenda appears focused on conducting cross‐sectional studies exploring the magnitude of NIHL prevalence in selected industries, and estimating the extent of (non)compliance with HDPs among US workers exposed to hazardous workplace noise 79 …”

Targeted therapeutic hypothermia protects against noise induced hearing loss

“…One of the most prevalent causes of permanent sensorineural damage is avoidable noise overexposure, which impairs hearing and increases the risks of tinnitus ( Bramhall et al, 2018 ) and vestibular dysfunction ( Wang and Young, 2007 ). Despite the preventability of NIHL, recommended occupational and recreational noise exposure levels are frequently breached, resulting in a high risk for permanent hearing damage for children to adults ( Tak et al, 2009 ; Mahboubi et al, 2013 ; World Health Organization, 2016 ; Green et al, 2021 ). Preclinical studies in mammalian models have proposed that moderate exposures resulting in only temporary loss of hearing function may confer veiled permanent damage to synaptic connections ( Kujawa and Liberman, 2009 ; Lin et al, 2011 ; Jensen et al, 2015 ), which in turn may accelerate age-related changes in hearing ( Fernandez et al, 2015 ).…”