학술논문
Feasibility of a daily noise monitoring intervention for prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Rabinowitz P; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA peterr7@uw.edu.; Galusha D; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.; Cantley LF; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.; Dixon-Ernst C; Otogienex, LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.; Neitzel R; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Source
Publisher: BMJ Pub. Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9422759 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1470-7926 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13510711 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Occup Environ Med Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
Background: Despite the existence of hearing conservation programmes complying with regulatory standards, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains one of the most prevalent occupational diseases. Compulsory daily monitoring of noise exposure has been associated with decreased NIHL risk. We report on the experience of a voluntary daily noise monitoring intervention among noise-exposed workers.
Methods: Workers at three locations of a metals manufacturing company voluntarily used an in-ear noise monitoring device that could record and download, on a daily basis, the noise exposure inside of their hearing protection. We compared the hearing loss rates (in decibels hearing level/year) in these volunteers to controls from the same company matched for job title, age, gender, race, plant location, and baseline hearing level.
Results: Over the follow-up period, 110 volunteers for whom controls could be identified monitored daily noise exposures an average of 150 times per year. Noise exposures inside of hearing protection were lower than ambient noise levels estimated from company records. While there was no significant difference in hearing loss rates between volunteers and controls, volunteers downloading exposures 150 times per year or had less hearing loss than those who downloaded less frequently.
Conclusion: These results indicate that voluntary daily noise exposure monitoring by workers is feasible and that greater frequency of downloading is associated with less hearing loss. If further development of noise monitoring technology can improve usability and address barriers to daily use, regular self-monitoring of noise exposure could improve the effectiveness of hearing conservation programmes.
Trial Registration Number: NCT01714375.
Competing Interests: Competing interests: CD-E was an employee of the company where the study took place. PMR, DG and LFC had received funding from the study company through an agreement with Yale University for occupational health consultation not directly related to this study.
(© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
Methods: Workers at three locations of a metals manufacturing company voluntarily used an in-ear noise monitoring device that could record and download, on a daily basis, the noise exposure inside of their hearing protection. We compared the hearing loss rates (in decibels hearing level/year) in these volunteers to controls from the same company matched for job title, age, gender, race, plant location, and baseline hearing level.
Results: Over the follow-up period, 110 volunteers for whom controls could be identified monitored daily noise exposures an average of 150 times per year. Noise exposures inside of hearing protection were lower than ambient noise levels estimated from company records. While there was no significant difference in hearing loss rates between volunteers and controls, volunteers downloading exposures 150 times per year or had less hearing loss than those who downloaded less frequently.
Conclusion: These results indicate that voluntary daily noise exposure monitoring by workers is feasible and that greater frequency of downloading is associated with less hearing loss. If further development of noise monitoring technology can improve usability and address barriers to daily use, regular self-monitoring of noise exposure could improve the effectiveness of hearing conservation programmes.
Trial Registration Number: NCT01714375.
Competing Interests: Competing interests: CD-E was an employee of the company where the study took place. PMR, DG and LFC had received funding from the study company through an agreement with Yale University for occupational health consultation not directly related to this study.
(© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)