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Overview of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program

Overview of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program. W. Gregory Lotz, Ph.D. Captain, U.S. Public Health Service Division of Applied Research and Technology January 5, 2006. Objectives. Overview of Hearing Loss Research Program Summary of Important Accomplishments

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Overview of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program

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  1. Overview of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program W. Gregory Lotz, Ph.D. Captain, U.S. Public Health Service Division of Applied Research and Technology January 5, 2006

  2. Objectives • Overview of Hearing Loss Research Program • Summary of Important Accomplishments • Introduction of NIOSH Presentations

  3. The Occupational Hearing Loss Problem • 30 million workers in U.S. at risk • Cross-cutting issue, affects workers in nearly every sector • Currently no recovery; severely impairs quality of life • One of most common workplace illnesses/injuries

  4. Mission of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program • To provide national and world leadership to reduce the prevalence of occupational hearing loss through a focused program of research and prevention

  5. Landmarks in NIOSH HLR Program • 1973 – Criteria Document • 1976 – Compendium of Hearing Protector Devices (revised in 1984, 1995, 2003) • 1990 – Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: A Practical Guide (revised 1996) • 1996 – Pittsburgh Research Lab joined NIOSH • 1998 – Revised Criteria Document • 2000 – NORA Intramural Noise Research Program Proposed; funded in 2001

  6. HLR Challenges – NIOSH approach • Surveillance – understanding HL in today’s workforce and providing better data for risk assessment • Hazard characterization – filling knowledge gaps for hazards that are not well understood • Intervention– developing solutions to prevent injury from known hazards to hearing

  7. HLRP Operational Logic Model

  8. Inputs

  9. Divisions/Labs/OfficesInvolvement • Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART) • Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies (DSHEFS) • Education and Information Division (EID) • Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) • Office of Extramural Programs (OEP)

  10. Acoustic Test Chamber - PRL • Sound power measurements • Large equipment capability • Precision-grade measurements • Engineering control of noise

  11. Audiometric Facilities • Hearing protector laboratory • Audiometric suites • Semi-anechoic chamber

  12. Mobile Audiometric Research Facility • Hearing screening • Hearing protector fit-testing • 42 sites nationwide

  13. Field Study Capabilities • Noise level assessments • Hearing protector research • Impulsive noise recording/analysis • Audiometric database analysis

  14. NIOSH HLR Program Resources • Intramural research FY05 funding = $ 4.1 M • Extramural research FY05 funding = $1.9 M • Staffing FY05: approximately 30 FTEs • Interdisciplinary: 14 engineers, 5 audiologists, 4 psychologists, 7 other disciplines • Two teams (Cincinnati and PRL) have complementary strengths, coordinated research activities and plans

  15. HLR Program Funding1997-2005

  16. Planning Inputs • Surveillance data – derived internally and externally • Stakeholder input – workshops, NORA team, partnership activities • Risk assessment – criteria document, consensus committees • Scientific knowledge gap assessment

  17. Program DevelopmentResearch Activities

  18. Establishing Program Goals • Criteria Document 1998 • Defined nine areas of research need • NORA Intramural Program 2001-2005 • New areas emphasized; increased coordination across divisions • Planning for next five years • Futures workshop • Four research goals defined

  19. Nonauditory Effects Training & Motivation Ototoxic Chemicals Exposure Monitoring Hearing Protectors Impulsive Noise Program Evaluation Research Needs (1998) Noise Control Rehabilitation Funding Opportunities Partnerships NORA Expertise Facilities Research Goals (2005) HL Prevention Programs Hearing Protectors Engineering Controls Causative Mechanisms

  20. 4 Research Goals • Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of effective hearing loss prevention programs • Reduce hearing loss through interventions targeting personal protective equipment • Develop engineering controls to reduce noise exposures • Contribute to reductions in hearing loss through understanding causative mechanisms

  21. Major Changes 1996-2005 • Growth in mining and construction research • Increased collaboration/interaction among NIOSH division and labs • Increased utilization of partnerships • Increased emphasis on engineering controls • Discontinuation of laboratory animal research in HLR program • Information dissemination through internet

  22. Program Outputs

  23. Types of Outputs • Scientific research reports: journal articles, technical reports, presentations, proceedings • Technology and Control Products: engineering designs, patents, prototypes • Recommendations: criteria documents, best-practices workshop proceedings, HHE reports, NIOSH alerts • Information dissemination: web-based information, pamphlets, videos, partner briefings

  24. Balancing the Focus on Product Development • Scientific publications are essential to • advancing scientific knowledge • maintaining professional credibility • supporting evidence for recommendations • Worker-friendly products are essential to meet customer needs • translate technical material into information workers and employers can use • transfer knowledge to those who can implement it

  25. Partnerships and r2p for HLR • Open doors to work sites, equipment, interaction with workers and employers, and stakeholder investment • Provide collaborative research • Create opportunities for transfer of NIOSH HLR Program outputs

  26. External Factors • Limited resources • Legislative directives or earmarks • Regulatory environment • Lack of surveillance data • Economic pressures, business climate for potential customers and partners • Nature of HL, low sense of urgency for hearing loss prevention in workplace

  27. Important Contributions • Two Criteria Documents – set policies, guide regulations and research directions • HPD Testing Standard and Rating System – basis of revised ANSI standard • Training and Education Programs – 13 ERCs trained over 1000 professionals per year over last 10 years

  28. NIOSH ERC Training in HL • Over 1000 students trained per year over the last decade

  29. Important Contributions (continued) • Engineering Noise Controls in Mining and Construction – coated flight bars for continuous mining machines; database for powered hand tools • Ototoxic Chemical Effects – hazard identification; influenced guidelines, policies • Development of HL Surveillance Activities – NHANES, OSHA 300 log input, and others • Leadership and Support for HL Research – workshops, best practices, participation in consensus and advisory panels

  30. HLR Program Presentations • RG1: Effective Hearing Loss Prevention Programs (C. Stephenson) • RG2: Hearing Protection Devices (W. Murphy) • RG3: Engineering Controls (R. J. Matetic) • RG4: Causative Mechanisms (R. Davis)

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