Assessing Hearing Conservation Program Effectiveness: Results of a Multisite Assessment

OBJECTIVES:Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains one of the most prevalent occupational diseases. Occupational hearing conservation programs (HCPs) can reduce the risk of NIHL, but there remains no consensus on assessing HCP effectiveness. We conducted a multisite, mixed-method assessment of HCP...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2018-01, Vol.60 (1), p.29-35
Main Authors: Rabinowitz, Peter, Cantley, Linda F, Galusha, Deron, Trufan, Sally, Swersey, Arthur, Dixon-Ernst, Christine, Ramirez, Vickie, Neitzel, Richard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age
Assessments
Conservation
Female
Focus Groups
Health Education
Hearing loss
Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced - prevention & control
Humans
Industrial engineering
Industrial plants
Interviews as Topic
Leadership
Male
Manufacturing engineering
Manufacturing industry
Manufacturing Industry - organization & administration
Middle Aged
Occupational diseases
Occupational Diseases - prevention & control
Occupational Exposure - analysis
Occupational Health
Polls & surveys
Production methods
Program Evaluation
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Workers
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Summary:OBJECTIVES:Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains one of the most prevalent occupational diseases. Occupational hearing conservation programs (HCPs) can reduce the risk of NIHL, but there remains no consensus on assessing HCP effectiveness. We conducted a multisite, mixed-method assessment of HCP programs. METHODS:At 13 manufacturing plants, we performed assessments, including interviews with program staff and worker focus groups and surveys. We analyzed the association between these assessments and age-corrected NIHL rates. RESULTS:Only a few items from the HCP staff interviews correlated with NIHL rates. For the employee survey, management commitment to NIHL prevention and being counseled about NIHL were strongly associated with NIHL rates. CONCLUSION:Management commitment and counseling of workers about NIHL may be key factors in program effectiveness. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods appears to be useful for assessing HCPs.
ISSN:1076-2752
1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000001125