title: Occupational hearing loss.
abstract: Hearing loss is a significant and unfortunately common occupational malady. Over the past several decades both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have initiated efforts to better understand and to limit the occurrence of occupational hearing loss, particularly as it relates to excessive noise exposure. This paper briefly addresses the pathophysiology of noise-induced hearing loss and then describes the occupational and non-occupational factors which influence a worker's risk of hearing loss. The primary foci of this discussion are the clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and management of occupational hearing loss. Issues of prevention, OSHA-mandated hearing conservation efforts and compensation are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, NY, USA.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; D014942:Workers' Compensation