NOISE AND HEARING LOSS PREVENTION
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Publications and Tools
Fact Sheets
Occupationally-Induced Hearing Loss
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-136
Statistics on hearing loss in the manufacturing industry.
Have you Heard? Hearing Loss Caused by Farm Noise is Preventable
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-176 (2007)
This brochure is designed to overview the variety of hearing protection available and when and how to use it. It is a companion to DHHS-(NIOSH) Publication No.2007-175.
They're Your Ears: Protect Them: Hearing Loss Caused by Farm Noise is Preventable
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-175 (2007)
This brochure is designed to increase the awareness of farmers about the relationship between farm noise and the early onset of tinnitus (e.g. ringing or buzzing in the ears) and hearing loss among farmers. It is a companion to DHHS-(NIOSH) Publication No.2007-176.
Inquiring Ears Want to Know: A Fact Sheet about Your Hearing Test
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-102 (2007)
This fact sheet contains important answers to frequent questions workers ask about their audiograms. It explains your audiogram (hearing test) and gives some basic information about protecting your hearing.
Interactive Tools and Multimedia
Power Tools Database
Noise level of power tools as they are used on the job. The database contains such information as sound power levels, sound pressure level and downloadable exposure and wave files. Further, links to the NIOSH Hearing Protector Compendium are included to assist in choosing appropriate hearing protection.
NIOSH Noise Meter
This Flash application plays different sounds and sound intensities of everyday objects, and shows how long it takes before a particular sound level becomes dangerous to the human ear.
Compendium of Hearing Protection Devices - Online Version
NIOSH Pub. No. 95-105
A comprehensive, searchable listing of manufacturers' data on hearing protection devices. The data includes mean attenuations, standard deviations of the attenuations, protector construction, materials, and other features that may aid in selection of protectors for specific situations.
How to Wear Soft Foam Earplugs (Roll-Pull-Hold)
Developed by NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Research, this three step method for inserting soft foam earplugs into your ears can help you get the best protection against excessive noise exposure. The method is also demonstrated through RealMedia Video.
NIOSHNoise Twitter
Join the conversation and follow NIOSH Hearing Loss Research and Prevention on Twitter.
Guidance Documents
Workplace Solutions: Promoting Hearing Health among Fire Fighters
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013-142
Recommends measures to promote better hearing health through hearing loss prevention programs.
Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure -- Revised
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-126 (1998)
This publication contains NIOSH policy and recommendations regarding hazardous noise and hearing loss prevention strategies.
Health Hazard Evaluations: Noise and Hearing Loss 1986-1997
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-106 (1999)
This document summarizes a series of investigations conducted through NIOSH's Health Hazard Evaluation program.
Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss - A Practical Guide
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-110 (1996)
This document provides guidance in non-technical terms regarding the eight key components of an effective hearing loss prevention program.
Industrial Noise Control Manual
NIOSH Publication No. 79-117 (1978)
This historic document, originally published in 1975, contains essential information about noise control technology and a collection of 61 case histories of successful noise control projects.
Workplace Survey Reports
The Survey Reports listed below describe site visits conducted by NIOSH.
- Analysis of Chinchilla Temporary and Permanent Threshold Shifts Following Impulsive Noise Exposure
- Advanced Hearing Protector Study Conducted at: General Motors Metal Fabricating Division Flint Metal Center - Flint, MI January 2004 - February 2005
- In Depth Study: A Re-evaluation of Styrene and Noise Exposures in the Fiberglass-reinforced Plastic Boat Manufacturing Industry
Peer-Reviewed Publications
NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH. The following links provide customized NIOSHTIC-2 search results for noise and hearing loss prevention topics.
- Page last reviewed: April 15, 2011
- Page last updated: February 18, 2015
- Content source:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Division of Applied Research and Technology