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Occupational Hearing Loss “Occupational hearing loss can be defined as a hearing impairment in one or both ears, partial or complete, arising in, during the course of, or as the result of one’s employment”. (3) Occupational hearing loss is a very present industrial issue that has been noticed since the Industrial Revolution. Millions of employees have been affected by occupational hearing loss, especially in industry. Industrialized countries see most of these damages as they result in both economic and living problems. (2) There are many organizations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), who have worked to understand hearing loss in the work environment. They have especially studied how it correlates to extreme noise exposure. According to research from both organizations, exposure to these hazardous levels of noise is common in the American workplace. Although extreme levels of noise are the main cause of occupational hearing loss there are also other factors in the work environment that can result in it. Chemicals, foreign bodies, barotrauma, along with other hazards can result in hearing loss. These losses that these workers obtain, affect many aspects of their life, mainly social interactions. (1)

Risk Factors Most of the risk occurs on the job where these harmful noises are present. The longer period of time and louder it is when a worker is exposed to these noises introduces greater risk. Therefor the equal energy principle states higher noise levels are more tolerable for shorter periods of time. The losses primarily occur after a noise level of 25dB. Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) isn’t the only way workers can loose hearing in the workplace. Trauma and violence to the side of the head or skull are also correlated to hearing loss while working. (1) Blows to the ear commonly result from foreign objects due to a blast or explosion. Hearing loss resulting from trauma generally can be healed or bettered by appropriate treatment. These direct blows to the head, that could potential result in concussions, may result in nerve type hearing loss. (3) Burn injuries are also a factor that can result in hearing loss if the canal is damages. (1) Burns most likely occur form sparks and molten metal coming in contact with the ear. (3) Any foreign bodies or substances that enter the ear could also potentially cause damage and block the canal. (1)

History Rarely do workers express concerns or complaints regarding Occupational hearing loss. In order to gather relevant information, workers who have experienced loud work environments are questioned regarding their hearing abilities during everyday activities. When analyzing OHP, it is necessary to consider family history, hobbies, recreational activities, and how they could play a role in a person’s hearing loss. (1)

Outline 1) More background regarding Occupational hearing loss
 * What is it?
 * How and when does it occur?
 * How changes in society affect it

2) Evidence and Data regarding Occupational Hearing Loss
 * Statistics
 * Examples

3)Can it be resolved or prevented?
 * What affects the work environment positively and negatively in regards to Occupational Hearing Loss

Annotated Bibliography

Al-Otaibi, S. (n.d.). Occupational Hearing Loss. Saudi Medical Journal, 21, 523-530.

-This is a high quality scholarly source considering it is from a published medical journal. This source supplies the constant change in society and the work place that is leading to the problem of occupational hearing loss. It provides medical and scientific research regarding chemicals and different toxins in the work place. The source has a medical perspective so it is good when it comes to providing evidence in my article.

Fox, M. (n.d.). Occupational Hearing Loss. The Laryngoscope.

-This scholarly article is also written by a Doctor who is unbiased and presents accurate information. This article supplies explanations of terms related to occupational hearing loss along with the different aspects that encompass it. The source has a medical point of view which provides good information since it is unbiased.

May, J. (n.d.). Occupational hearing loss. Am J Ind Med American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 112-120.

-Another medical journal that is reliable and a high quality scholarly source since research and an appropriate background is provided. Data and relevant research is provided which is good factual information. This source also as a medical and scientific point of view making it un-baised.

Sataloff, R., & Sataloff, J. (1987). Occupational hearing loss. New York: Dekker.

-This is a book backed up by research and scientific information that describes the presence of occupational hearing loss along with its factors. It supplies information regarding what happens when hearing loss occurs. The source has a neutral point of view that is backed by research and educated professionals.