Is having a disability a barrier to employment, and more specifically, what is the impact of occupational hearing loss in the workplace? According to a newly released report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with disabilities face significant employment barriers when compared to their non-disabled counterparts. Primary barriers identified include non-inclusive hiring practices, limited training opportunities, … Read More
Hearing Protection a Must Around Fireworks
With the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 causing concerns about crowds gathering and the spread of the respiratory virus, many Fourth of July celebrations were canceled or individuals stayed away in 2020 and 2021. But this year, with transmission rates low and the desire to return to pre-pandemic fun high, many people will be joining the celebrations again. That means … Read More
How Loud is that Sound?
According to the World Health Organization, environmental noise is now being acknowledged as an important public health issue and a top environmental risk faced by the world today. One of the casualties of the noisy world we live in is noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound, such as an … Read More
Are you wearing hearing protection at work?
According to a new study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), over half of noise-exposed workers didn’t use hearing protection “always” or “usually” when exposed to hazardous occupational noise. Hearing protection device (HPD) non-use was only measured in workers who reported exposure to noise on the job. This study was published online in the American Journal … Read More
How to Prevent Hearing Loss
Return to Normal Means Return to Noise There just might be one thing you haven’t missed that much since the pandemic began—noise. Before the nationwide shutdown in March 2020, America was one noisy place, emersed in the constant hum of traffic and machinery 24/7. But when the pandemic hit and everyone was sent home to quarantine, it was surprising how … Read More
How to Protect Your Hearing AND Enjoy Summer Activities
For most of us, it’s been a couple of years since we experienced the sounds of summer concerts, fireworks displays or even swimming in the community pool. But as COVID-19 restrictions ease and more people become vaccinated, summer activities are returning to our schedules. Be sure to continue all safety recommendations, including mask wearing, social distancing and hand sanitizing. And … Read More
