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Results for “Ear Protective Devices”

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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Working in noise with a hearing loss: perceptions from workers, supervisors, and hearing conservation program managers.

OBJECTIVE: Workers with hearing loss face special problems, especially when working in noise. However, conventional hearing conservation practices do not distinguish between workers with normal hearing versus impaired hearing. This study collected information from workers with self-reported noise exposure and hearing loss, supervisors of such workers, and hearing conservation program managers through focus groups and in-depth interviews to evaluate their perspectives on the impact of hearing loss on safety and job performance, the use of hearing protection, and information needed to appropriately manage hearing-impaired workers who work in noisy environments. RESULTS: Concerns about working in noise with a hearing loss could be grouped into the following 10 categories: impact on job performance, impact on job safety, impaired ability to hear warning signals, impaired ability to monitor equipment, interference with communication, stress and/or fatigue, impaired communication caused by hearing protector use, reduced ability to monitor the environment as the result of hearing protector use, concerns about future quality of life, and concerns about future employability. Mostly, there was an agreement between the perceptions of workers, supervisors, and hearing conservation program managers regarding difficulties associated with hearing loss and consequent needs. These findings suggest that noise-exposed workers with hearing loss face many of the same problems reported in the literature by noise-exposed workers with normal hearing, with additional concerns primarily about job safety as the result of a reduced ability to hear environmental sounds, warning signals, and so forth. CONCLUSIONS: The study outlines potential challenges regarding job safety and hearing conservation practices for noise-exposed, hearing-impaired workers. Awareness of these issues is a necessary first step toward providing appropriate protective measures for noise-exposed, hearing-impaired workers.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Hearing in nonprofessional pop/rock musicians.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hearing and subjective auditory symptoms in a group of nonprofessional pop/rock musicians who had experienced repeated exposures to intense sound levels during at least 5 yr of musical activity. DESIGN: An evaluation of both ears in 42 nonprofessional pop/rock musicians included pure-tone audiometry in the conventional and extended high-frequency range, the measurement of uncomfortable loudness levels, and an assessment of tinnitus and hypersensitivity to sound. Exclusion criteria were (a) the occurrence of acoustic trauma, (b) excessive noise exposure during occupational activities, (c) a history of recurrent otitis media, (d) previous ear surgery, (e) a fracture of the cranium, (f) ingestion of potentially ototoxic drugs, and (g) reported hearing difficulties within the immediate family. These audiometric results were then compared with a control group of 20 otologically normal young adults with no history of long-term noise exposure. RESULTS: After adjusting for age and gender, relative to ISO 7029, the mean hearing threshold in the frequency range of 3 to 8 kHz was 6 dB in the musicians and 1.5 dB in the control group. This difference was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney rank sum test, p < 0.001). A significant difference was also observed between musicians using regular hearing protection during their activities (average 3 to 8 kHz thresholds = 2.4 dB) and musicians who never used such hearing protection (average 3 to 8 kHz thresholds = 8.2 dB), after adjusting for age and gender (Mann-Whitney rank sum test, p = 0.006). Eleven of the musicians (26%) were found to be hypersensitive to sound, and seven (17%) presented with tinnitus. Tinnitus assessment, however, did not reveal any clinically significant psychological distress in these individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus and hypersensitivity to sound were observed in a significant minority within a group of nonprofessional pop/rock musicians who had experienced repeated exposure to intense sound levels over at least 5 yr but with minimal impact on their lives. Moreover, hearing loss was minimal in the subjects who always used ear protection, being only 0.9 dB higher than the control group. In contrast, hearing loss was significantly more pronounced, at 6.7 dB higher than the control group, in those musicians who never used ear protection. Continued education about the risk to hearing and the benefits of the persistent use of ear protection is warranted for musicians who are exposed frequently to intense sound levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Swimming with a mastoid cavity: what are the risks?

The authors have found no studies and little guidance in the literature on the advisability of people swimming with a modified radical mastoid cavity. Two groups of such outpatients were therefore followed up at 2-monthly intervals for 6 months. One group of 56 patients swam (81% without ear protection) and the other group of 55 patients maintained their ears quite dry. Swimming did not increase the incidence of an infected mastoid cavity. The most important risk of swimming was vertigo which occurred in 5% of swimmers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Water contamination and swimming with the open mastoid cavity.

The aim of this study was to assess whether patients with open mastoid cavities should be advised to avoid water contaminating the ear in order to avoid aural discharge. A detailed history and clinical examination was performed on 53 patients with a unilateral modified radical mastoid cavity of more than 5 years duration. The results showed that it is possible to identify reliably the well-designed trouble-free cavity by the features of its skin lining and the ability to visualize the entire cavity through a size 4 Siegle speculum. A patient with this form of cavity very rarely develops aural discharge following water exposure and need not protect the ear during washing but should do so when swimming because of caloric effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Swimming with earplugs: are they worthwhile?

The ears of 30 children were examined before and after swimming. Each ear was plugged with cotton wool which was then covered with petroleum jelly. Of the 60 earplugs, 4 (6.6%) were lost while swimming and water was seen in the ears. The remaining 56 (93.3%) earplugs were still in place after swimming. The plugs were removed and the ears, on otoscopy, were found to be dry. In a separate experiment with volunteers, water was instilled into 10 ear canals. Either 1 drop (0.05 ml), 2 drops (0.1 ml) or no water was instilled. Nine of the 10 ears were correctly judged to have either 'no water' or 'water present', suggesting that as little as 0.05 ml of water in an ear canal can be detected otoscopically.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Hearing protection for motorcyclists.

An investigation to ascertain the most suitable earplug and its efficacy for use by motorcyclists was undertaken. To qualify for testing the earplugs had to be both easily available and cost less than 10 Pounds. Consequently, three types of earplugs ('Silisoft', EARfit and AQUAfit [both Cabot Safety Ltd]) were tested for sound attenuation scores using an 'insertion loss' technique both with and without a motorcycle helmet and scored for comfort by the test subjects. The optimal plug was then assessed as to its effect on the temporary threshold shift occurring in motorcyclists after prolonged high speed riding. There were no significant differences between the sound attenuation scores of the three plugs tested, with all three earplugs providing approximately 15 dB of sound attenuation at the low frequencies (250, 500, 1000 Hz) when worn under a helmet. The soft yellow foam earplug was felt to be the optimal plug for motorcyclists as it was significantly more comfortable (Wilcoxon paired: P < 0.01), readily available (chi 2 = 15.2, P < 0.001) and the cheapest. After one hour of high speed riding (80 mph), riders suffered a mean maximal temporary threshold shift of 11 dB at 1000 Hz which was abolished by wearing these earplugs. Earplugs appear to provide useful protection against the excessive noise levels experienced by motorcyclists. The soft yellow foam plug (EARfit, Cabot Safety Ltd) would appear to be the most suitable, on the grounds of its low cost, comfort and ease of availability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

An objective evaluation of the waterproofing qualities, ease of insertion and comfort of commonly available earplugs.

Earplugs are commonly recommended to protect the middle ear from water in patients with exposed middle ears. This study assessed the waterproofing qualities, ease of insertion and comfort of six commonly available earplugs. Ten subjects (20 ears) were assessed by placing a pre-weighed neurosurgical pattie in their cleaned ear canal under microscope guidance. The subjects underwent a standardized head wetting regime. The outer ear was dried, earplug and pattie removed and pattie reweighed. The difference in weight was calculated. The subjects were also asked to score the difficulty of insertion and comfort of the earplugs on a visual analogue scale. The results show a significant difference in the waterproofing qualities of the various types of earplugs. Cotton wool with petroleum jelly was the most effective (P < 0.001). It was also the easiest to insert and the most comfortable for the subject (P < 0.001).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Hearing loss and perceptions of noise in the workplace among rural Australians.

OBJECTIVE: To compare measured hearing levels of individuals regularly exposed to noise in their workplace to self-reported and family-reported hearing loss. To compare the attitudes and preventative actions adopted by individuals who are more aware of the potential for hearing loss to less aware individuals. DESIGN: The project examined the perceptions of rural workers concerning noise, noise exposure and hearing. The subjects completed a 'Noise at Work' questionnaire and some demographic data at the time of audiometric testing. SETTING: The subjects were recruited when attending their rural health clinic for audiometric testing. PARTICIPANTS: Participants comprised 113 men and 23 women (20-65 years, mean = 39.6, SD = 11.4) working across a range of activities at different levels in their workplaces. The range in current employment was from 0.5 to 45 years (mean = 13.8, SD = 10.7). RESULTS: Hearing tests were compared with perceptions of noise annoyance, hearing damage risk and preventative action. Self- and family-reported hearing loss and conversational difficulties in noise correlated well with measured audiograms. Perceptions of workplace noise tended to be more positive if people felt they had hearing problems. There was no difference in preventative action between those who did and did not feel they had hearing problems. Both groups rated barriers to action and lack of self-efficacy in a similar negative way. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for specific training to ensure that rural workers have skills to take more positive action in reducing noise exposure at work.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Predicting use of hearing protection: a preliminary study.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health targeted noise-induced hearing loss as one of the top 10 occupational hazards. Research has been directed toward reducing noise exposure rather than identifying the factors associated with workers' decision consistently to use hearing protection. The long-term goal of this program of research is to develop a causal model explaining workers' use of hearing protection to guide development of nursing interventions. This study was a preliminary one to prepare for testing Pender's health-promotion model (HPM) as a causal model. Ninety-eight skilled tradesmen completed written questionnaires at their work site. Although 98% indicated they were supposed to wear protection, their reported use averaged 50.3% of the time. Reported use significantly and positively correlated with workers' perceptions of the benefits and self-efficacy of use, value of outcomes regarding keeping out noise and increased well-being, and health-promoting behaviors in the areas of self-actualization and stress management. Perceptions of barriers of use were significantly and negatively related to use. In regression analyses of use of hearing protection on components of the HPM and dimensions of health behavior and lifestyle, one component of the HPM (benefits) and two dimensions of health behavior and lifestyle (self-actualization and interpersonal support) significantly predicted use, accounting for 24% of the variance in use of protection. Knowledge of the predictors of hearing protection use will ultimately aid nurses in implementing interventions, increasing use, and decreasing hearing losses.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Sports-related eye injuries: floorball endangers the eyes of young players.

The objectives of this study were to determine the distribution of different sports-related eye injuries and to identify injury types to enable recommendations to be made about the use of protective eyewear. The study population comprises all 565 eye trauma patients examined at the Ophthalmology Emergency Clinic of the Helsinki University Central Hospital over a 6-month period. Data were collected from patient histories and questionnaires. In addition, three severe floorball eye injury cases are presented. Of the 565 eye traumas, 94 (17%) were sports related. Of these, 42 (45%) were associated with floorball. Countrywide, in Finland, estimated over 300 (+95% CI 228-415) floorball eye injuries occur annually. The mean age of floorball patients was 22 years. The most common finding (55%) in sports injury patients was hyphema. Clinically severe eye injuries during this period accounted for one-fourth of all cases. During the study period, no eye injury was found in an organized junior ice hockey, where facial protection is mandatory. Floorball is estimated to belong to the highest risk group in sports, and thus, the use of protective eyewear is strongly recommended. We conclude that national floorball federations should make protective eyewear mandatory.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Implementing an industrial hearing conservation program in the schools.

The harmful effects of exposure to high noise levels have been well-documented and include auditory and non-auditory factors. The most notable auditory effect is permanent loss of hearing, many times accompanied by the constant perception of a ringing-type noise in the ears (tinnitus). Despite this, there has been insufficient attention given to the hazardous effects of noise in the school health education curriculum. The industrial arts program is one area that deserves special attention because of the noise levels that teachers and students are exposed to in the classroom and the assumed future exposure that students will experience in their recreational and work experiences. This report describes a hearing conservation program implemented in the Industrial Arts Program in the Dallas Independent School District that attempts to provide: 1) protection for students and teachers using equipment that produces excessive, damaging noise; and 2) information to students on the hazardous effects of noise, so they will understand the consequences of not protecting their ears when exposed to excessive noise and the available means to protect their hearing. As the cost of the program was minimal, other school districts could implement similar programs with little additional resources and effort.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Challenges and strategies related to hearing loss among dairy farmers.

CONTEXT: Farming is often imagined to be a serene and idyllic business based on historical images of a man, a horse, and a plow. However, machinery and equipment on farms, such as older tractors, grain dryers, and vacuum pumps, can have noise levels, which may be dangerous to hearing with prolonged, unprotected exposure. PURPOSE: This qualitative study in Ontario, Canada, explored the challenges and coping strategies experienced by dairy farmers with self-reported hearing loss and communication difficulties. Through in-depth interviews, 13 farmers who experience significant hearing loss were questioned about the challenges they face as a result of hearing loss and the strategies they use to overcome or compensate for problems. FINDINGS: The 2 major challenges encountered by dairy farmers with a hearing loss were: (1) obtaining information from individuals, within groups, and through electronic media; and (2) working with animals, machinery, and noise. To cope with these challenges, participants used strategies identified as problem and emotion focused. CONCLUSIONS: Four themes arose from analysis of the challenges encountered and strategies used: 1. Hearing loss is experienced as a "familiar," but "private," problem for dairy farmers. 2. Communication difficulties can negatively affect the quality of relationships on the farm. 3. Safety and risk management are issues when farming with a hearing loss. 4. The management or control of excessive noise is a complex problem, because there are no completely reliable yet practical solutions.

Activities of Daily Living↗