title: [Actual and perspective activities of the European Union concerning protection against noise].
abstract: In most industrialised countries exposure to noise is one of major health problems which, because of its social and economic dimension has been given priority in the area of preventive activities. It is estimated that only in Europe about 25-30 million people are employed in conditions under exposure to noise at excessive levels, harmful to the hearing organ, generating the risk of hearing loss (disability), and in consequence limiting the possibility of active life. Acknowledging the significance of the problem and its consequences the World Health Organization (WHO) in cooperation with the International (ISA) and European Federation of Audiological Society (EFAS) has developed the programme for the protection against noise. The prime aims of the programme are to establish the cooperation between scientists, health services and technicians in order to promote knowledge and exchange of experience, to improve workers' health, and to identify the biological, neuropsychological and psycho-social effect of noise exposure on the hearing ability. The authors discuss basic objectives and adopted strategies of experimental and clinical studies carried out in countries of the European Union, participating in the implementation of the programme. The WHO guidelines for the reduction in noise exposure in the working, municipal and recreation environments are also presented.
authors.affiliation: Samodzielnej Pracowni Otolaryngologii i Audiologii Zawodowej Instytutu Medycyny Pracy, Lodzi.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kowalska
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sułkowski
mesh_terms: D005062:European Union; D005544:Forecasting; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000639:trends*; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014944:World Health Organization