Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1990 Jan-Feb;105(1):53-9.

Efficacy of an intervention to promote use of hearing protection devices by firefighters

Affiliations

Efficacy of an intervention to promote use of hearing protection devices by firefighters

B G Ewigman et al. Public Health Rep. 1990 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Numerous cases of hearing loss consistent with noise-induced damage were noted among firefighters in the city of Columbia, MO. A survey of firefighting vehicles in operation showed that the firefighters were exposed to excessive noise levels and put at risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Audiologic evaluation showed that 36 percent of the firefighters had moderate or severe hearing loss (a threshold of 40 decibels (dB) or more at 3,000, 4,000, or 6,000 hertz (Hz) in either ear). An educational program on NIHL was then carried out to increase the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) by firefighters, followed by an evaluation of the intervention. The educational intervention successfully increased knowledge of NIHL, positive attitudes toward HPDs, and resulted in more frequent use of HPDs. After the intervention, 85 percent of firefighters regularly used HPDs compared with 20 percent before the intervention. Recommendations are made for fire departments to reduce the risk of NIHL.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1981 Sep;42(9):656-62 - PubMed
    1. Laryngoscope. 1972 Aug;82(8):1399-409 - PubMed

Publication types