Hazardous decibels: hearing health of firefighters

AAOHN J. 2007 Aug;55(8):313-9. doi: 10.1177/216507990705500803.

Abstract

Noise-induced hearing loss ranks among the most significant occupational health problems. In the United States, more than 1 million firefighters are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss due to exposure to hazardous levels of intermittent noise from sirens, air horns, and engines of emergency vehicles and fire trucks. Although irreversible, noise-induced hearing loss is entirely preventable through both engineering controls and personal protective equipment. This article describes occupational noise exposure, hearing loss, and strategies to prevent noise-induced hearing loss among firefighters.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ear Protective Devices
  • Health Promotion*
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / epidemiology
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Noise, Occupational / prevention & control*
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control*
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • United States / epidemiology