Hearing Research - Current Insights

Posted: March 9, 2022

Pan, D.W., et al. (2022). Trends in Hearing Protection Use With Occupational Noise Exposure in the United States 1999 to 2016. Otology & Neurotology, 43(1), e14-e22(9). https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wk/mao/2022/00000043/00000001/art00005

• US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2016 was reviewed for self-reported occupation, occupational noise exposure, hearing protector use, bothersome tinnitus, and audiometric data. Occupational noise exposure reportedly increased from the 2000s to the 2010s. Hearing protection use was reported as low (33% to 41%) across the included years. Factors associated with greater reported hearing protection use were younger age, male gender, higher education, and white race. Data for those who reported no annoying tinnitus were associated with less hearing protection use.

Federman, J.S., et al. (2002). The Effect of Using an Active Earmuff on High Frequency Hearing in United States Marine Corps Weapons Instructors. Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 66(1), 60–68. https://academic.oup.com/annweh/article/66/1/60/6410506?login=true#324697501

• US Marine and civilian military weapons instructors (WIs) must hear and safely communicate while in 160 to 165 dBP noise during training on marksmanship ranges. Passive earplugs degrade auditory situational awareness and speech communication, compromising WI and Marine firer safety. Hearing protection device (HPD) comfort concerns compromise fit, use, and, consequently, protection from hazardous noise. The researchers investigated user change in compliance and active HPD use over a year by measuring high-frequency pure tone average (HF-PTA) change and self-reported physical, functional, and acoustic HPD comfort. The study control group did not use the active HPD. The active HPD group had 3 dBHL better HF-PTA than the control group after one year. Survey responses indicated perceived improved communication, safety, and auditory situational awareness during firing on the range.