Category: Hearing Loss
NIOSH HPD Well-Fit™: The Future is Fit-Testing
Today is Save Your Hearing Day. For workers and others who are exposed to dangerously loud noises which cannot be reduced or eliminated, hearing protection devices (HPDs) are absolutely necessary to save their hearing. But if HPDs are not properly selected or correctly worn, the devices may not block out enough noise and the wearer Read More >
Posted on by 13 CommentsEven a Dummy Knows October is Protect Your Hearing Month
Meet Nick. Nick is a training mannequin who helps NIOSH teach young people and their families about preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing loss can result from working around noise–even non-powered hand tools–without wearing proper hearing protection. It is not uncommon for a 25 year-old farmer or carpenter to have the hearing of a 50 year-old. Read More >
Posted on by 29 CommentsSafety and Health in the Theater: Keeping Tragedy out of the Comedies…and Musicals…and Dramas
On Sunday, the 2012 Tony Awards celebrated the year’s best offerings from “The Great White Way.” While the theater provides entertainment, the preparation and production of live performances can also pose hazards to those working in all aspects of the theater –from actors on stage to set designers behind the scenes and musicians in the Read More >
Posted on by 37 CommentsBuy Quiet
Quieter tools and machines lead to decreased hearing loss among the workers who use them. So why aren't companies "buying quiet"? Read more about the challenges in this area and what NIOSH is doing to make it easier to "buy quiet." Read More >
Posted on by 26 CommentsKeeping Workers Hydrated and Cool Despite the Heat
Many areas of the country have been experiencing extreme temperatures this summer, and sadly the news has been full of stories about the lives lost due to heat stroke. Read More >
Posted on by 37 CommentsThese Go to Eleven
Musicians and others who experience loud music in their workplace are typically overlooked in terms of occupational safety and health. Recent studies at nightclubs show that all employees (waiters, bartenders, DJs, etc,) were exposed to noise levels above internationally recommended limits and were at a higher risk of early hearing loss and tinnitus. A new term, music-induced hearing loss, has been coined to reflect this growing condition. Read More >
Posted on by 115 CommentsHigh Speeds, Higher Decibels
Stock car races are notoriously loud events. Just how loud? Drivers, pit crew, and other workers at the track face damaging noise exposures during practices and races. Read More >
Posted on by 67 CommentsVuvuzelas: What’s the Buzz?
Players, event staff, stadium workers, broadcasters, and referees at the World Cup have been repeatedly exposed at their matches to the thundering noise of vuvuzelas--plastic, meter-long South African horns. Vuvuzelas, especially when trumpeted by thousands of fans at once, can reach damaging decibel levels. The hearing health implications of dangerous noise levels also arise at other noisy sporting events and entertainment venues. Read More >
Posted on by 43 CommentsWorkplace Hearing Loss
It is estimated that over 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job and an additional nine million are at risk for hearing loss from other agents such as solvents and metals. Read more about a new surveillance program and provide input on future efforts to prevent hearing loss in the workplace. Read More >
Posted on by 34 CommentsTake Aim at Protecting Yourself
If you work or train regularly at indoor firing ranges, you could be exposed to hazardous levels of lead and noise. An estimated 16,000–18,000 indoor firing ranges operate in the United States. Read More >
Posted on by 68 CommentsAre your ears really protected? Find out with NIOSH’s QuickFitWeb
Hearing protectors such as ear plugs and earmuffs only work if they fit and are worn properly. NIOSH's QuickFitWeb is an online tool which allows users to check the fit of their hearing protectors in a minute or less. Read more and check your hearing protectors on the NIOSH Blog. Read More >
Posted on by 28 Comments