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NIOSH releases study on work-related hearing loss

Words: Dave AfandadorThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health released a study in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on hearing impairment among noise-exposed workers in the United States from 2003 to 2012.

This study found a prevalence of 13 percent hearing loss (mild to complete) among 1.4 million audiograms studied. This study confirms and quantifies the prevalence of hearing loss among employees of nine major industry sectors. The mining, construction and manufacturing industries had the highest prevalence of workers with any hearing impairment or moderate to severe hearing impairment.

Occupational hearing loss, primarily caused by high noise exposure, is the most common U.S. work-related illness. NIOSH estimates that 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous occupational noise.

For more information, see OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure webpage.
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