NIOSH and NHCA Highlight Noise Research in Special Supplement

Contact: Christina Spring (202) 245-0633

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in cooperation with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA), has developed a dedicated supplemental issue of the International Journal of Audiology, highlighting the research presented at NHCA’s 35th Annual Conference in February 2010. The studies featured in this special issue focus on expanding the traditional boundaries of hearing loss prevention and sharing knowledge on an international level.

This special supplement is one way NIOSH and NHCA are sharing knowledge, innovative ideas, and practical experiences in the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus on a global level.

"Noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable issue affecting workers across the globe," said NIOSH Director, Dr. John Howard. "This collaboration of the leading voices in this area is an important part of furthering our knowledge and research in how to better protect all workers."

The special supplement issue highlights a broad range of research topics, including:

• Noise-induced hearing loss in different economic sectors in Asia
• A large-scale epidemiological view of audiometric thresholds of adolescents and adults free from occupational noise exposure
• A new perspective on "normal hearing" in college students
• An exploration of the real-world challenge of promoting the use of hearing protector devices among construction workers
• Examining the challenges of minimizing hazardous sounds while preserving audibility and situational awareness
• How innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and education can potentially contribute to a successful hearing loss prevention program for musicians

Additional support from this endeavor was provided by Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™, the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, Etymotic Research Inc., G.R.A.S Sound & Vibration and HCI National Mobile Health Programs.

The 2011 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™ will be presented at the 36th NHCA Annual Conference in Mesa, AZ on Friday, February 25th, 2011. For information on the conference please go to www.hearingconservation.org. Nominations for the next round of awards will be accepted until September 1st, 2011. For further information please visit www.safeinsound.us. NIOSH recommends removing hazardous noise from the workplace whenever possible and implementing an effective hearing loss prevention program in those situations where dangerous noise exposures have not yet been controlled or eliminated. For more information about noise and hearing loss prevention research at NIOSH.