{"id":5089,"date":"2020-11-09T10:39:26","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T14:39:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/?p=5089"},"modified":"2020-12-07T10:40:23","modified_gmt":"2020-12-07T14:40:23","slug":"cdc-recommendations-for-hearing-protection-during-your-lifetime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/cdc-recommendations-for-hearing-protection-during-your-lifetime\/","title":{"rendered":"CDC Recommendations for Hearing Protection During Your Lifetime"},"content":{"rendered":"

Several doctors published a report on the website of the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> (CDC) in 2018 explaining how hearing affects workers during their lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Across the globe, one in three people have a measurable loss of hearing. \u201c1.1 billion young persons are at risk for hearing loss attributable to noise exposure.\u201d Some of the occupations that place people at risk of hearing loss including manufacturing, construction, and mining. \u201cLoud noises can cause permanent hearing loss through metabolic exhaustion or mechanical destruction of the sensory cells within the cochlea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether loss of hearing constitutes a disability is based on the worker\u2019s communications needs and ability to perform his\/her job tasks. Workers such as police and air traffic control workers need high and middle level frequencies to do their hearing-critical jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

\u201cA recent analysis of 2011\u20132012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data estimates that approximately 14% of U.S. adults aged 20\u201369 years (27.7 million persons) have hearing loss. After adjustments for age and sex, hearing impairment was nearly twice as prevalent in men as in women; age, sex, ethnicity, and firearm use were all important risk factors for hearing loss. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

About 22 million workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels at work according to the CDC\u2019s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The prevalence of hearing loss can be as high as 25% of the workforce depending on the job types. Some sectors such as forestry, agriculture, warehousing, transportation, fishing, hunting, and utility work seem to have benefited from hearing protection where the risk decreased according to comparing studies from 2006-2010 to studies for 1986-1990.<\/span><\/p>\n

Workers such as firearm and aircraft workers can be exposed to as much as 140 decibels above pressure level (dB SPL). They require noise reduction devices of 30-50 dB. Even though there are occupational guidelines for hearing protection, many workers suffer hearing loss because their earmuffs and earplugs don\u2019t fit properly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nonoccupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

Insurance companies for the employers may argue that a workers hearing loss is due to non-occupational causes. Recreational hunting, shooting, personal music players, loud noises at concerts, woodworking, and motorsports are known to have high-risk noise levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPersons with normal hearing can detect sounds equally soft at all frequencies. When hearing is damaged by noise, the hearing test will show a loss of acuity in a narrow range of middle to high frequencies (3\u20136 kHz) with better hearing at both lower and higher frequencies. Often, the earliest sign is a notched configuration in the audiogram.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Many workers and people with hearing loss due to non-work causes actually think their hearing is excellent or good – which means they\u2019re not aware of their hearing loss. Sadly, while much hearing loss is preventable, many workers and nonworkers fail to take preventive steps. The report states that \u201c70% of persons exposed to loud noise in the past 12 months had seldom or never worn hearing protection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Worldwide hearing loss statistics<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 360 million people have a disabling (unable to work) hearing loss. About 328 million adults are affected. 56% of males are affected. \u201cIt is estimated that approximately 320 million persons aged >65 years will have hearing loss by 2030 and approximately 500 million by 2050.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

American prevention efforts<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

The CDC report states that hearing loss programs should go beyond traditional services \u2013 such as diagnosis, treatment, and research.\u201d The initiatives should also \u201cfocus on epidemiologic surveillance, health promotion, and disease prevention.\u201d This type of approach can lead to better prevention strategies and better ways to manage hearing loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

One such program is called: <\/span>Dangerous Decibels<\/span><\/a>. This program has helped people with both hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The program\u2019s three main strategies are:<\/span><\/p>\n