title: Hearing Loss and Noise Exposure Among Commercial Fishermen in the Gulf Coast.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Noise is a hazard in commercial fishing. This cross-sectional study associates occupational noise exposure with hearing loss in commercial fishermen.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive survey and audiometric testing were administered to 227 participants in the Gulf Coast. Sound-level measurements were obtained aboard a sample of fishing vessels. Criteria specific for hearing impairment (HI) and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) were applied to each audiogram.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of these fishermen work shifts more than 16  hours for an extended duration. Hazardous noise levels were measured in the engine rooms ranging from 94.8 to 105.0 dBA. NIHL was significantly associated with years spent fishing, but not with age. HI was significantly associated with age, but not with years fishing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Commercial fishermen in the Gulf may be at a considerable risk of occupational NIHL and would benefit from hearing conservation programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (Drs Levin, Curry, Shepherd); Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas (Dr Nalbone); and Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa (Dr Nonnenmann).
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: J Torey
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Nalbone
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Nonnenmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001299:Audiometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D060851:Gulf of America; D006306:Health Surveys; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D017747:Seafood; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology