Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) continues to be one of the most prevalent occupational conditions and occurs across a wide spectrum of industries. Occupational hearing loss is preventable through a hierarchy of controls, which prioritize the use of engineering controls over administrative controls and personal protective equipment. The occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) physician works with management, safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, and human resources to insure that all components of hearing loss prevention programs are in place. super(1) The OEM physician should emphasize to employers the critical importance of preventing hearing loss through controls and periodic performance audits rather than just conducting audiometric testing. Nevertheless, audiometric testing, besides documenting the permanent loss of hearing, can be of value in the identification of hearing loss at a time when early preventive intervention is possible. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) believes that OEM physicians should understand a worker's noise exposure history and become proficient in the early detection and prevention of NIHL.