Hearing Loss Research at NIOSH Reviews of Research Programs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2006) / Chapter Skim
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3 Identifying Emerging Issues and Research Areas in Occupational Hearing Loss Prevention
3 Identifying Emerging Issues and Research Areas in Occupational Hearing Loss Prevention
Pages 102-114
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From page 102... ...
. The committee's assessment of this process is followed by its suggestions regarding emerging research areas or issues in occupational hearing loss prevention that warrant the consideration of the Hearing Loss Research Program.
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From page 103... ...
The workshop was described as including discussions after each of the presentations and a brainstorming session at the end to generate a list of topics for further consideration by NIOSH hearing loss researchers. The research needs identified at the Futures Workshop and the discussion that took place at that meeting provided the basis for the section "Emerging Issues" in the evidence package from the Hearing Loss Research Program (NIOSH, 2005a)
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From page 104... ...
Clayton Doak, NIOSH, Education and Information Division (EID) Dennis Driscoll, Noise Control Engineering Consultant, Associates in Acoustics, Inc.
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From page 105... ...
, with feedback loop Develop engineering controls for small businesses Long Term Research Goal 1 Establish a centralized repository of audiometric data that can be accessed by professionals Collaborate with partners in education to reach young workers with prevention information and skills Strengthen efforts to transfer and disseminate information Research Goal 3 Encourage manufacturers to provide noise labels Research Goal 4 Establish ongoing surveillance programs for occupational hearing loss and noise exposure Repeat large epidemiologic survey of industry (NOES [National Occupational Exposure Survey]
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From page 106... ...
. Although the Hearing Loss Research Program noted in the evidence package the existence of the Mining Research Plan and its strategic goal regarding hearing loss prevention, it was not clear how the Mining Research Plan factored into the work and planning of the Hearing Loss Research Program as a whole.
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From page 107... ...
The overall success of our hearing loss prevention research will only be seen in 2030 years. Intermediate Goal 2.1: Develop and maintain a noise source/mine worker exposure database for prioritizing noise control technology.
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From page 108... ...
. COMMITTEE ASSESSMENT OF THE HEARING LOSS RESEARCH PROGRAM'S IDENTIFICATION OF EMERGING ISSUES AND RESEARCH AREAS IN OCCUPATIONAL HEARING LOSS PREVENTION The Framework Document used by the committee to guide its evaluation notes correctly that identifying new or emerging research needs and developing an active research response are among the most challenging aspects of prevention
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From page 109... ...
With few exceptions, the list of emerging issues in the evidence package (see Box 3-2) resembles work that the Hearing Loss Research Program described as being under way or among its current research goals.
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From page 110... ...
As noted by NIOSH, as well as by the committee elsewhere in this report, the small size of the Hearing Loss Research Program means that the program must necessarily consider its research portfolio carefully. To sustain a leadership role in occupational hearing loss prevention research, however, the Hearing Loss Re search Program should actively monitor emerging research needs and opportuni ties in all aspects of occupational hearing loss prevention.
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From page 111... ...
In this vein, the committee suggests several ideas for consideration. Some of these proposals, like those presented by the Hearing Loss Research Program, are most appropriately characterized as existing research needs that the program should be considering now, whereas others are emerging topics that may deserve increasing attention over the next 10 years.
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From page 112... ...
Rationale: Work focused on consumer products has been initiated through the Institute of Noise Control Engineering, but the Hearing Loss Research Pro gram could champion a similar effort to advocate for product noise emissions labeling and testing standards for equipment commonly employed in occupa tional settings. · Conducting well-designed longitudinal studies of workers exposed and un exposed to occupational noise to determine the long-term effects, if any, of occu pational noise exposure after the exposure stops.
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From page 113... ...
Although the committee suggested additional areas for consideration, it emphasizes that this important task warrants more extensive expert input and evaluation than the committee could provide in the context of its review. Whether or not the NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program is able to undertake activities proposed by the committee, the program should aim to be at the forefront of efforts to review and define needs in occupational hearing loss prevention and to promote opportunities to pursue new and innovative to ways to respond to those needs.
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From page 114... ...
2006a. NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program: 2005 Futures Workshop.
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