Common Risk Factors

60 Percent of Childhood Hearing Loss Preventable

A new review highlights the underrecognized potential of vaccines to prevent childhood hearing loss, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Common Risk Factors

OSHA Initiative Aims to Prevent Hearing Loss in Midwest Workplaces

The US Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Kansas City regional office has established a Regional Emphasis Program to target inspections of general industry and construction workplaces at high risk of noise exposure and to raise awareness among Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska employers of noise hazards and required safety measures, according to an announcement on the DOL website.

Common Risk Factors

OSHA Chicago Establishes Noise Awareness Program

Nearly one in 10 people endure noise levels at work loud enough to cause hearing loss while seven in 10 experience moderately loud noise levels.

Army Researchers Examine Methods of Rotocraft Noise Reduction

by Stefani Kim | Dec 4, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Military & Industrial | 0

At the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, now known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, researchers collaborated with Uber and the University of Texas at Austin to investigate the acoustic properties of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which use distributed electric propulsion to power flight.

IAC Acoustics Launches Noishield Continuline Sound Barrier

by Stefani Kim | Nov 25, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Military & Industrial | 0

The Noishield Sound Barrier System is a line of exterior barriers designed with acoustical components to help protect communities from noisy equipment.

Standards for “Safe Listening”: Past, Present, and Future

by Stefani Kim | Sep 16, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Music & Entertainment | 0

A global perspective on the challenges of hearing loss prevention and regulation.

University of Michigan Researchers Find Hearing Health Education Could Help Farm Youth

by Stefani Kim | Aug 11, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Health & Wellness, Research | 0

A study by the U-M School of Nursing found that incorporating hearing health education into an existing safety program increased the knowledge and attitude of hearing conservation practices among farm youths.

ASHA Offers Safety Tips for July 4th Holiday

by Stefani Kim | Jul 1, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Music & Entertainment, Organizations | 0

Many traditional Fourth of July festivities can reach potentially dangerous noise levels. Fireworks and firecrackers can be as loud as 150 decibels—louder than a jackhammer or jet plane takeoff. Safe listening levels are generally 75–80 decibels.

ASHA Issues Warning About Long-Range Acoustic Devices

by Stefani Kim | Jun 12, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Headphones, Military & Industrial, Organizations | 1

This level of sound surpasses the average auditory threshold of pain and greatly exceeds the volume of a jet engine taking off. Exposure at this level is capable of causing not only permanent hearing loss but also migraine, balance, and other auditory symptoms, according to a statement issued by ASHA.

Rafi Nova Launches Clear-Panel ‘Smile Mask’

by Stefani Kim | Jun 11, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Infection control | 3

The mask has a wide transparent panel and ear-loop extenders that can attach comfortably to accommodate hearing aids or cochlear implants.

‘Repetitive Negative Thinking’ May Be Related to Cognitive Decline

by Stefani Kim | Jun 11, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Research | 0

The researchers found that people who exhibited higher RNT patterns experienced more cognitive decline over a four-year period, and declines in memory (which is among the earlier signs of Alzheimer’s disease), and they were more likely to have amyloid and tau deposits in their brain.

‘NY Times’ Article Discusses Kid’s Headphone Use, Hearing Protection

by Stefani Kim | May 26, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Music & Entertainment | 0

Experts also say that relying on headphones that tout they are capped at a “safe level” of 85 decibels can be misleading, because damage can occur with repeated or constant exposure.

Former Police Officer May Be Entitled to Worker’s Comp for Hearing Loss from Job Duties

by Stefani Kim | May 18, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Legislation, Regulation | 0

Jared Spangler alleges that exposure to loud noises like sirens and gunshots in his radio earpiece exacerbated his hearing loss, as shown by a series of hearing tests he received annually.

ASHA Announces’Communication at Work’ Theme for Better Hearing & Speech Month

by Stefani Kim | May 4, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Events, Organizations | 1

The campaign will address some unique challenges associated with speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders in the current environment.

NIOSH and Partners Announce 2020 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award

by Stefani Kim | Feb 21, 2020 | Common Risk Factors, Organizations, People | 0

The Acoustics Sub-Working Group for the International Space Station, led by co-chairs Dick Danielson and Chris Allen, wins the innovation award for identifying the unique risk facing crew-members and developing solutions for reducing noise exposure.

Measuring Peak Noise Exposure…While Outrunning the Cops

by Stefani Kim | Feb 18, 2020 | Common Risk Factors | 0

The peak sound pressure really has no value in the estimation of the sound exposure dose whether this is music, industrial noise, or recreational noise.