Full Citation
Title: Epidemiology of firearm and other noise exposures in the United States
Citation Type: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2017
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Abstract: Objective: Identify contemporary noise exposures and hearing protection use among adults. Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of national health survey. Methods: Adult respondents in the 2014 National Health Interview Series hearing survey module were analyzed. Potentially harmful exposures to occupational and recreational noises in the past 12 months were extracted and quantified. Patterns of hearing protection use also were analyzed. Results: Among 239.7 million adults, loud and very loud occupational noise exposures were reported by 5.3% and 21.7%, respectively. Of those exposed to loud or very loud sounds at work, only 18.7% and 43.6%, respectively, always used hearing protection. A total of 38.2% (1.9 million) of those with very loud occupational exposures never used hearing protection. Frequent (> 10/year) loud and very loud recreational noise exposures were reported by 13.9% and 21.1%, respectively, most commonly to lawn mowers (72.6% and 55.2%, respectively). When exposed to recreational loud/very loud noise, only 11.4% always used hearing protection, whereas 62.3% (6.3 million) never used any protection. Lifetime exposure to firearm noise was reported by 36.6% of adults, 11.5% of whom had used firearms in the prior 12 months. Of those, only 58.5% always used hearing protection, whereas 21.4% (7.4 million) never used hearing protection. Conclusion: Substantial noise exposures with potentially serious long-term hearing health consequences frequently are occurring in occupational and recreational settings, and with the use of firearms. Only a minority of those exposed consistently are using hearing protection. Healthcare providers should actively identify and encourage the use of hearing protection with those patients at risk.
Url: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lary.26540/full
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Authors: Bhatt, Jay, M; Lin, Harrison, W; Bhattacharyya, Neil
Periodical (Full): General Otolaryngology
Issue: 10
Volume: 127
Pages: E340-E346
Data Collections: IPUMS Health Surveys - NHIS
Topics: Health
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