NOISE AND HEARING LOSS PREVENTION

Reports of laboratory research and worksite studies focusing on practical, solutions-oriented interventions to reduce occupational exposures.

Comparison of the Performances of Three Acoustic Test Fixtures Using Impulse Peak Insertion Loss Measurements, Rudyard, MichiganCdc-pdf (350-14a)

Comparison of Two Acoustic Test Fixtures for Measurement of Impulse Peak Insertion LossCdc-pdf (350-13a)

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACOUSTIC SHOCK TUBE FOR GENERATING HIGH-LEVEL IMPULSES TO TEST HEARING PROTECTION DEVICESCdc-pdf (350-12a)

A CASE FOR USING A-WEIGHTED EQUIVALENT ENERGY AS A DAMAGE RISK CRITERION AS A DAMAGE RISK CRITERIONCdc-pdf (350-11a)

Evaluation of Smartphone Sound Measurement ApplicationsCdc-pdf (349-12a)

Development and validation testing of an impulse noise meterCdc-pdf (349-11a)

Analysis of chinchilla temporary and permanent threshold shifts following impulsive noise exposureCdc-pdf (338-05c)

Advanced hearing protector study conducted at: General Motors Metal Fabricating Division Flint Metal Center – Flint, MichiganCdc-pdf (312-11a)

An analysis of the blast overpressure study data comparing three exposure criteriaCdc-pdf (309-05h)

Control Technology and Exposure Assessment for Electronic Recycling Operations Elkton Federal Correctional Institution Elkton, OhioCdc-pdf (326-12a)

STYRENE EXPOSURES DURING FIBER REINFORCED WIND BLADE MANUFACTURINGCdc-pdf (306-19b)

In Depth Study: A Re-evaluation of Styrene and Noise Exposures in the Fiberglass-reinforced Plastic Boat Manufacturing IndustryCdc-pdf (306-18a)

In-Depth Study: An Occupational Exposure Assessment of Styrene and Noise in The Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Boat manufacturing IndustryCdc-pdf (306-16a)

Styrene and Noise Exposures During Fiber Reinforced Plastic Boat Manufacturing at Island Packet Yachts (IPY) Largo, Florida Cdc-pdf(306-15a)

Walk-Through Survey Report: Styrene and Noise Exposures During Fiber Reinforced Plastic Boat manufacturing at Sea Ray Boats, Vonore, TennesseeCdc-pdf (306-14a)

Walk-Through Survey Report: Styrene and Noise Exposures During Fiber Reinforced Plastic Boat Manufacturing at Century Boat company Inc. Panama City, FloridaCdc-pdf (306-13a)

STYRENE AND NOISE EXPOSURES DURING FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC BOAT MANUFACTURINGCdc-pdf (306-12b)

Walk-Through Survey Report: Styrene and Noise Exposures During Fiber Reinforced Plastic Boat Manufacturing, September 2005Cdc-pdf (306-12a)

Walk-Through Survey Report: Styrene and Noise Exposures During Fiber Reinforced Plastic Boat Manufacturing at U.S. Marine Incorporated, Arlington VirginiaCdc-pdf (306-11b)

In-Depth Survey Report: Styrene and Noise Exposures During Fiber Reinforced Plastic Boat Manufacturing at Larson/Glastron Inc. Little Falls MinnesotaCdc-pdf (306-11a)

Control Technology Assessment For Coal Gasification And Liquefaction ProcessesCdc-pdf (119-22a)

Control Technology Assessment For Coal Gasification And Liquefaction ProcessesCdc-pdf (119-21a)

Preliminary Control Technology Assessment Of The Cambridge Tile Manufacturing Company Cincinnati, OhioCdc-pdf (110-14a)

Information about preventing work-related diseases an injuries based on NIOSH research.

HPD Wellfit Fast and Accurate Fit Testing
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-179 (October 2012)

Hearing Protector Device Compendium
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-178 (October 2012)

NIOSH Hearing Loss Prevention Program, Our Research is Sound
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-174 (October 2012)

Occupationally-Induced Hearing Loss
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-136 (March 2010)

Inquiring Ears Want to Know: A Fact Sheet about Your Hearing Test
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-102 (November 2007)

Have You Heard? Hearing Loss Caused by Farm Noise is Preventable
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-176 (September 2007)

They’re Your Ears: Protect Them: Hearing Loss Caused by Farm Noise is Preventable
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-175 (October 2007)

Short, easy-to-understand documents that provide practical solutions to workplace noise problems.

Reports of workplace studies requested by companies or workers.

2015

Evaluation of Skin and Respiratory Symptoms Among Employees with Exposure to Metals, Metalworking Fluids, and Noise at an Orthopedic Implant Manufacturer.Cdc-pdf

Evaluation of Employees’ Exposures to Lead, Noise, and Heat at an Automotive Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Company.Cdc-pdf

2014

Exposures of Helicopter Pilots and Gunners to Firearm Noise and Lead During Gunnery Target Training Exercises.Cdc-pdf

Measurement of Exposure to Impulsive Noise at Indoor and Outdoor Firing Ranges During Tactical Training Exercises.Cdc-pdf

2013

Followback Evaluation of Lead and Noise Exposures at an Indoor Firing Range.Cdc-pdf

2012

Air Contaminant,Noise, and Dermal Hazards During Aluminum Beverage Can Manufacturing – Texas.Cdc-pdf

Noise Evaluation of Elementary and High School Music classes and Indoor Marching Band Rehearsals – Alabama.

2011

Chemical Hazards and Noise Exposures at a Drum Refurbishing Plant – Indiana.Cdc-pdf

Exposures to Pharmaceutical Dust at a Mail Order Pharmacy – Illinois.Cdc-pdf

Noise and Lead Exposures at an Outdoor Firing Range – California.Cdc-pdf

2010

Potential Noise Exposures in Hospital Operating Rooms, West Virginia University Hospital, Morgantown, West Virginia.Cdc-pdf

2009

Health Concerns at a Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Plant, Sanmina-SCI® Corporation, Huntsville, Alabama.Cdc-pdf

2008

Assessment of Physical Hazards at an Automobile Parts Manufacturing Facility, Tower Automotive, Bluffton, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

Headlee Roofing, Mesa, Arizona.Cdc-pdf

Petersen-Dean Roofing Systems, Phoenix, Arizona.Cdc-pdf

Potential Noise Hazards to Mechanics and 911 Dispatchers at a Fire Department, Anchorage, Alaska.Cdc-pdf

Radiation Exposure to TSA Baggage Screeners, Transportation Security Administration, Washington, DC.Cdc-pdf

Worker Exposures to Noise, Metalworking Fluids, Welding Fumes, and Acids During Metal Conduit Manufacturing, Republic Conduit, Louisville, Kentucky.Cdc-pdf

2007

Assessment of Noise Exposures in a Hospital Kitchen, Department of Veterans Affairs, Cincinnati, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

Kenton County Animal Shelter, Covington, Kentucky.Cdc-pdf

Liberty Veterinary Hospital, Liberty Township, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

Noise Exposures and Hearing Loss Assessments Among Animal Shelter Workers, Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Algiers, Louisiana.Cdc-pdf

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Cincinnati, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

2006

Cincinnati Police Canine Unit, Cincinnati, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

Mesaba Airlines, Inc., Minneapolis, MN.Cdc-pdf

Transportation Security Administration, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Erlanger, Kentucky.Cdc-pdf

2005

Air Contaminant and Noise Exposures Among Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Baggage Screeners at Four International Airports.Cdc-pdf

Immigration and Naturalization Service, National Firearms Unit, Altoona, Pennsylvania.Cdc-pdf

Kentucky Sanitation District #1, Ft. Wright, Kentucky.Cdc-pdf

Transportation Security Administration, Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Linthicum, Maryland.Cdc-pdf

2004

Horizon Air, Seattle, Washington.Cdc-pdf

Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Cdc-pdf

Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, Farmington, New Mexico.Cdc-pdf

Spirit Mountain Casino, Grand Ronde, Oregon.Cdc-pdf

Transportation Security Administration, Dulles International Airport, Dulles, Virginia.Cdc-pdf

Transportation Security Administration, Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida.Cdc-pdf

Transportation Security Administration-Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida.Cdc-pdf

2003

Capitol Heat and Power, Madison, Wisconsin.Cdc-pdf

Fort Collins Police Services, Fort Collins, Colorado.Cdc-pdf

The Concrete Revolution, Denver, Colorado.Cdc-pdf

Utah Department of Public Safety, Utah Highway Patrol, Salt Lake City, Utah.Cdc-pdf

2002

Marion County Board of Education, Fairmont, West Virginia.Cdc-pdf

2001

Federal Aviation Administration, Burlington Massachusetts.Cdc-pdf

Human Performance International, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina.Cdc-pdf

Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.Cdc-pdf

2000

Whitepath Fab Tech, Ellijay, Georgia.Cdc-pdf

1999

Continental Express Airlines, Newark, New Jersey.Cdc-pdf

Edgcomb Metals, Cincinnati, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

Health hazard evaluation report: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Libby Dam Project, Libby, Montana.Cdc-pdf

RMC LONESTAR, San Francisco, California.Cdc-pdf

1998

The Crown, U.S. Hot Rod Monster Truck and Motocross Show, Cincinnati, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, San Ysidro, California.Cdc-pdf

1997

Federal Aviation Administration – Bradley Airfield, Windsor Locks, Connecticut.Cdc-pdf

Los Angeles County Department of Coroner, Los Angeles, California.Cdc-pdf

1996

FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia.Cdc-pdf

Martin’s Carstar, Inc., Lakewood, Colorado.Cdc-pdf

Matrix Auto Body, Englewood, Colorado.Cdc-pdf

Spence’s Carstar, Denver, Colorado.Cdc-pdf

1995

Hamilton Fire Department, Hamilton, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

The Western States Machine Company, Hamilton, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

1994

Exxon Chemical Company, Pottsville Film Plant, Polyethylene Film Department, Mar-Lin, Pennsylvania.Cdc-pdf

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.Cdc-pdf

Internal Revenue Service, McNamara Building, Detroit, Michigan.Cdc-pdf

Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.Cdc-pdf

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Cdc-pdf

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ozark Power Plant, Ozark, Arkansas.Cdc-pdf

USS/USX Gary Works, No. 2 Q-BOP Shop, Gary, Indiana.Cdc-pdf

1993

Haddon Craftsmen, Inc., Scranton, Pennsylvania.Cdc-pdf

Silver Mountain Enterprises, Montrose, Colorado.Cdc-pdf

Square D Company, Oxford, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

1992

ASARCO – Troy Unit Mine, Troy, Montana.Cdc-pdf

Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg Laboratory, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc., Norwood, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

U.S. Postal Service, Lansing, Michigan.Cdc-pdf

1991

McKesson Drug Company, Fairfield, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

Neiman Sawmills, Inc., Hulett, Wyoming.Cdc-pdf

Thomson Consumer Electronics, Marion, Indiana.Cdc-pdf

U.S. Customs Service, World Trade Center, New York, New York.Cdc-pdf

1990

Memphis Fire Department, Memphis, Tennessee.Cdc-pdf

Ministry of Health – St. Lucia, St. Lucia, West Indies.Cdc-pdf

1989

Flying W Plastics Company, Glenville, West Virginia.Cdc-pdf

1988

McGraw-Edison, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.Cdc-pdf

Ministry of Health – St. Lucia, St. Lucia, West Indies.Cdc-pdf

1987

Champion International Corporation, Hamilton, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

Dubois Chemical Company, Sharonville, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

West Virginia, Department of Highways, Charleston, West Virginia.Cdc-pdf

1986

Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

1985

Denver Laundry And Dry Cleaning, Denver, Colorado.Cdc-pdf

Federal Grain Inspection Service, USDA, New Orleans, Louisiana.Cdc-pdf

1984

Fountain Avenue Landfill, Brooklyn, New York.Cdc-pdf

Henry R. Hinckley and Company, Southwest Harbor, Maine.Cdc-pdf

Siemens Components, Incorporated, Broomfield, Colorado.Cdc-pdf

1982

Industrial Plastics, Valley City, Ohio.Cdc-pdf

U.S. Army Research Office, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.Cdc-pdf

Reducing the Risk of Hearing Disorders among Musicians
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2015-184 (June 2015)

Hearing Loss is Preventable and You Can do Something About It
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014-128 (July 2014)

Promoting Hearing Health Among Fire Fighters
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013-142 (May 2013)

NIOSH Hearing Loss Prevention Program: Our Research is Sound
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-174 (October 2012)

They’re Your Ears: Protect Them. Hearing Loss Caused by Farm Noise is Preventable
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-175 (October 2007)

Proceedings: Best Practices in Hearing Loss Prevention (October 28, 1999, Detroit, Michigan)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-157 (October 1999)

Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: A Practical Guide
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-110 (June 1996)

A Practical Guide to Effective Hearing Conservation Programs in the Workplace
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-120 (September 1990)

Proposed National Strategies for the Prevention of Leading Work-related Diseases and Injuries – Noise-induced Hearing Loss
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 89-135 (1988)

A Story of Impact: Measuring How Well Earplugs Work
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2015-181 (May 2015)

HPD Wellfit Fast and Accurate Fit Testing
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-179 (October 2012)

Compendium of Hearing Protection Devices
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-178 (October 2012)

• Hearing Protector Device Compendium

Technology News 534 – QuickFit Earplug Test Device
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-112 (December 2008)

Have you heard? Hearing Loss Caused by Farm Noise is Preventable
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-176 (September 2007)

Wearing Hearing Protection Properly: A 3-D Training Aid for Drillers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-107 (November 2004)

Buy Quiet Video
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014-130 (July 2014)

Buy Quiet
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2014-127 (July 2014)

Buy Quiet PosterCdc-pdf

NIOSH Directory of Engineering Controls
This directory page links to NIOSH engineering control related webpages, projects, programs, tools and resources created to improve workplace health and safety.

Reducing Exposure to Lead and Noise at Outdoor Firing Ranges
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013-104 (November 2012)

Evaluations of a noise control for roof bolting machines
Mining Publication (December 2012)

Technology News 548 – Bit Isolator Reduces Drilling Noise in Underground Coal Mines
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-110 (March 2012)

Reducing Noise Hazards for Call and Dispatch Centers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-210 (September 2011)

CAP the Noise to Save Your Hearing!
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-102 (November 2010)

A Story of Impact: NIOSH Engineering Controls Research Shows Promise in Reducing Noise Exposure Among Mine Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-156 (October 2010)

Technology News 539 – Identifying the Benefits of Engineering Noise Controls through a Business Case
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-121 (December 2009)

Reducing Exposure to Lead and Noise at Indoor Firing Ranges
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-113 (January 2010)

Noise Control in Underground Metal Mining
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.2010-111 (December 2009)

Technology News 538 – Acoustic Enclosure to Reduce Noise from Vibrating Screen Mechanism Housings
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-109 (November 2009)

Technology News 536 – NIOSH Develops New Software to Analyze and Reduce Hazardous Noise Exposure
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-150 (July 2009)

Preventing Occupational Exposures to Lead and Noise at Indoor Firing Ranges
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-136 (April 2009)

Technology News 532 – Collapsible drill steel enclosure for reducing roof bolting machine drilling noise
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-146 (September 2008)

Technology News 531 – Engineering Controls for Reducing Continuous Mining Machine Noise
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-145 (September 2008)

Technology News 527 – The Partial Cab: A New Noise Engineering Control for Surface Drill Rigs
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-153 (August 2007)

Underground Evaluation of Coated Flight Bars for a Continuous Mining Machine
Mining Publication (December 2006)

Lower Respirable Dust and Noise Exposure with an Open Structure Design
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-101 (November 2006)

Industrial Noise Control Manual
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 79-117 (December 1978)

Noise Reduction of a Pneumatic Rock Drill
Report of Investigations 8082 (November 1975)

Noise Abatement of Pneumatic Rock Drill
Report of Investigations 7998 (December 1974)

Smart Phone Measurement Apps

• Engineering Research Report: Evaluation of Smartphone Sound Measurement ApplicationsCdc-pdf
• NIOSH Science Blog: So How Accurate Are These Smartphone Sound Measurement Apps?

Test Apparatus for Measuring Sound Power Levels of Drills
Information Circular 9166 (January 1987)

Short, easy-to-understand documents that provide practical solutions to workplace noise problems.

Reducing the Risk of Hearing Disorders among Musicians
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2015-184 (June 2015)

Promoting Hearing Health among Fire Fighters
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013-142 (May 2013)

Reducing Exposure to Lead and Noise at Outdoor Firing Ranges
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013-104 (November 2012)

Reducing Noise Hazards for Call and Dispatch Center Operators
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-210 (September 2011)

Reducing Exposure to Lead and Noise at Indoor Firing Ranges
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-113 (January 2010)

View a complete list of all Workplace Solutions.