Larry H. Royster memorial session

Abstract

Larry Royster conducted pioneering research on the effectiveness of occupational hearing conservation programs, with a particular focus on the performance of hearing protection devices (HPDs) and audiometric database evaluation. Dr. Royster also conducted important early research into non-occupational noise exposures such as sporting events, recreational activities, and air travel. This presentation will briefly review key findings from Dr. Royster's work on these topics from the 1970s–1990s, and will then summarize the findings of a number of recent related studies. These will include: an evaluation of hearing conservation program effectiveness and hearing protector performance among aluminum manufacturing workers; an assessment of the contributions of occupational and non-occupational noise to hearing loss risk in a large sample of individuals in New York City; and a review of patterns and trends in occupational noise exposures in the US from 1979–2013. Collectively, these studies indicate that the risk of hearing loss from noise remains substantial among US workers, as well as in the general public that participates in noisy leisure-time activities, and highlight the importance of continuing the research that Dr. Royster started in order to protect the hearing health of Americans.