Hearing Protection Goes Digital - The Next Step in Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Abstract

Hearing loss is one of the most common occupational health issues in the world. Despite much focus on noise abatement and hearing conservation programs, still many workers suffer from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). One of the challenges with many hearing conservation programs is that they are based on performing tests only once every three years, which means that a hearing loss might go undetected for long periods. Additionally, there is quite a large uncertainty in the standard hearing threshold measurement method, which leads to that a threshold shift of 15 dB is required for a conclusion that NIHL might be present. Together this leads to a very reactive hearing test regime, where large hearing threshold shifts must be present before any counteractions are initiated. This thesis will present a new hearing monitoring regime, using much more frequent hearing measurements and statistical process control, that can detect small (<5 dB) hearing threshold shifts. A rapid automated hearing threshold measurement, implemented in a smart communication earplug, facilitates the frequent measurements. This new regime could be used to initiate individual counteractions that aim at preventing further negative developments.