Centers for Disease Control and prevention efforts to increase awareness and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss

Abstract

For 45 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has researched noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in the workplace and disseminated its research to prevent occupational hearing loss. Additionally, CDC has made research and educational materials available on hearing loss in children. In 2015, CDC received inquiries from the public and medical community about NIHL in non-workplace settings. In response, CDC began efforts to raise public awareness of NIHL and awareness about how to prevent its health effects. A CDC intra-agency working group collaborated with the World Health Organization, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and the Dangerous Decibels® program for the promotion of the materials including (1) MMWR Vital Signs: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among Adults—United States 2011–2012; (2) CDC Public Health Grand Rounds: Promoting Hearing Health Across the Lifespan; (3) World Hearing Day educational materials; and (4) MMWR: Use of Personal Hearing Protection Devices at Loud Athletic or Entertainment Events Among Adults — United States, 2018. Additionally, CDC scientists and communicators continue to leverage internal and external channels for developing materials and spreading the word about the prevention of NIHL at work, at home and in communities.