Hearing Research – Current Insights

Posted: February 2, 2022

  • Noise was one of the first hazards NIOSH addressed when the Institute was established in 1971. A dedicated Noise Section was established to conduct field studies of noise exposure, design engineering controls, test hearing protection devices, evaluate the effectiveness of hearing loss prevention programs, develop standards, and advise government and non-government entities on occupational noise-related policy. As NIOSH celebrates its 50th anniversary, the NIOSH Hearing Loss Prevention Research Program looks back over 50 years of research and recommendations for preventing work-related hearing loss.

NIOSH Noise: A 50-Year Timeline of Research and Intervention. Blog posted January 19, 2022 by Christa L. Themann, MA, CCC-A; Julie Tisdale-Pardi, MA; CAPT Chucri (Chuck) A. Kardous, MS, PE; Elizabeth A. Masterson, PhD, CPH, COHC; Thais C. Morata, PhD; and CAPT William J. Murphy, Ph.D.

  • To address the burden of global hearing loss, WHO has identified a compendium of key evidence-based ear and hearing care interventions to be included within a country’s universal health coverage packages. To assess the cost-effectiveness of these interventions and their budgetary effect for countries, WHO analyzed the investment required to scale up services from baseline to recommended levels, and the return to society for every US dollar invested in the interventions.

Tordrup, et al.(2022). Global return on investment and cost-effectiveness of WHO's HEAR interventions for hearing loss: a modeling study. Lancet Glob Health 10(1): e52-e62.doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00447-2.

  • The prevalence of hearing loss in the Department of Defense continues to decrease for service members and civilians enrolled in hearing conservation programs, according to a recent report from the Defense Health Agency Hearing Center of Excellence. According to Dr. Theresa Schulz, HCE prevention section chief, data show the number of hearing-impaired service members fell from 18% in 2013 to 15% in 2020. Report findings also reveal the percent of noise-exposed civilians with hearing impairment continues to show a gradual decrease from about 46% in 2013 to 39% in fiscal year 2020.

The Military is Reporting Far Fewer Hearing Problems. Blog posted December 14, 2021 on www.Health.mil by Larine Barr, Hearing Center of Excellence.