Download Presentation: “A Novel Point-Source Strategy to Prevent Hearing

Presentation: “A Novel Point-Source Strategy to Prevent Hearing Loss in Farmers”
Abstract: Previous studies have shown that farmers are exposed to excessive levels of noise and
experience higher prevalence of hearing loss. Farmers are exposed to occupational and nonoccupational sources of noise. However, the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) has been low
among farmers. In this study, researchers sought to establish the current attitudes, beliefs, and use of
HPD. Participants completed a questionnaire which addressed participant beliefs and attitudes towards
HPDs. A second questionnaire addressed noise exposures and medical history related to hearing.
Participants were also provided a hearing test at their home or place of work. The majority of the study
participants were crop farmers. Fifteen participants reported medical conditions related hearing
including Meniere's disease, measles and/or mumps, tinnitus and hearing loss. Non-occupational noise
exposures included music concerts, fire arms, car racing and industrial jobs. Approximately 60% of
respondents reported not intending to wear HPDs. However, almost all agreed that wearing hearing
protection can protect their hearing and that losing their hearing would impact their ability to
communicate. Approximately 46% of intervention participants and 44% of control participants had
moderate or profound hearing loss in at least one ear at the onset of the study. Preliminary findings
from this study show that there is a need to educate farmers on the proper use and disposal of HPDs,
hazards associated with noise, importance of noise control and use of hearing protection devices. We
inventoried all major sources of noise on the farm through interviews, visual observation, and spot noise
measurements. Spot noise measurements were collected using a Larson Davis Sound Level Meter to
identify the most important sources of noise. Personal full-shift noise dosimetry were collected and the
noise exposure data was recorded using the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s)
criteria for permissible exposure level and hearing conservation, and the NIOSH recommended exposure
limit (REL) criterion. More than fifty percent of the personal dosimetry measures exceed the NIOSH REL.
The noise levels ranged from 70.6 to 93.6 decibels. There were more than a 100 tractors and about 21
combines in the farms that we visited. In addition, 41 point-source intervention boxes were installed in
the intervention farms, and nearly 90% of these boxes have been used at least once. Noise-induced
hearing loss is preventable; the point-source intervention introduced in this study is one strategy to
prevent NIHL.