Overview of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research

Program

Overview of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research

Program

W. Gregory Lotz, Ph.D.

Captain, U.S. Public Health Service

Division of Applied Research and Technology

January 5, 2006

W. Gregory Lotz, Ph.D.

Captain, U.S. Public Health Service

Division of Applied Research and Technology

January 5, 2006

ObjectivesObjectives

Overview of Hearing Loss Research Program

Summary of Important Accomplishments

Introduction of NIOSH Presentations

Overview of Hearing Loss Research Program

Summary of Important Accomplishments

Introduction of NIOSH Presentations

The Occupational Hearing Loss Problem

The Occupational Hearing Loss Problem

30 million workers in U.S. at risk

Cross-cutting issue, affects workers in nearly every sector

Currently no recovery; severely impairs quality of life

One of most common workplace illnesses/injuries

30 million workers in U.S. at risk

Cross-cutting issue, affects workers in nearly every sector

Currently no recovery; severely impairs quality of life

One of most common workplace illnesses/injuries

Mission of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program

Mission of NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program

To provide national and world leadership to reduce the prevalence of occupational hearing loss through a focused program of research and prevention

To provide national and world leadership to reduce the prevalence of occupational hearing loss through a focused program of research and prevention

Landmarks in NIOSH HLR Program

Landmarks in NIOSH HLR Program

1973 – Criteria Document

1976 – Compendium of Hearing Protector Devices (revised in 1984, 1995,

2003)

1990 – Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: A Practical Guide (revised 1996)

1996 – Pittsburgh Research Lab joined NIOSH

1998 – Revised Criteria Document

2000 – NORA Intramural Noise Research Program Proposed; funded in

2001

1973 – Criteria Document

1976 – Compendium of Hearing Protector Devices (revised in 1984, 1995,

2003)

1990 – Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: A Practical Guide (revised 1996)

1996 – Pittsburgh Research Lab joined NIOSH

1998 – Revised Criteria Document

2000 – NORA Intramural Noise Research Program Proposed; funded in

2001

HLR Challenges – NIOSH approach

HLR Challenges – NIOSH approach

Surveillance – understanding HL in today’s workforce and providing better data for risk assessment

Hazard characterization – filling knowledge gaps for hazards that are not well understood

Intervention – developing solutions to prevent injury from known hazards to hearing

Surveillance – understanding HL in today’s workforce and providing better data for risk assessment

Hazard characterization – filling knowledge gaps for hazards that are not well understood

Intervention – developing solutions to prevent injury from known hazards to hearing

HLRP Operational Logic ModelHLRP Operational Logic Model

Inputs ActivitiesCustomer Activities and Outputs

Intermediate customers → Outputs → Final customers(transformation) (implementation)

OutcomesOutputs

Transfer

Inputs

Divisions/Labs/OfficesInvolvement

Divisions/Labs/OfficesInvolvement

Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART)

Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies (DSHEFS)

Education and Information Division (EID)

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL)

Office of Extramural Programs (OEP)

Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART)

Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies (DSHEFS)

Education and Information Division (EID)

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL)

Office of Extramural Programs (OEP)

Acoustic Test Chamber - PRLAcoustic Test Chamber - PRL

Sound power measurements

Large equipment capability

Precision-grade measurements

Engineering control of noise

Sound power measurements

Large equipment capability

Precision-grade measurements

Engineering control of noise

Audiometric FacilitiesAudiometric Facilities

Hearing protector laboratory Audiometric suites Semi-anechoic chamber

Hearing protector laboratory Audiometric suites Semi-anechoic chamber

Mobile Audiometric Research Facility

Mobile Audiometric Research Facility Hearing screening

Hearing protector fit-testing

42 sites nationwide

Hearing screening

Hearing protector fit-testing

42 sites nationwide

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Field Study CapabilitiesField Study Capabilities

Noise level assessments

Hearing protector research

Impulsive noise recording/analysis

Audiometric database analysis

Noise level assessments

Hearing protector research

Impulsive noise recording/analysis

Audiometric database analysis0.357 caliber Smith & Wesson 686

Time (msec)

0 5 10 15 20

So

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ress

ure

Le

vel (

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)

-3

-2

-1

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1

2

3

4

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169 dB SPL

NIOSH HLR Program ResourcesNIOSH HLR Program Resources

Intramural research FY05 funding = $ 4.1 M

Extramural research FY05 funding = $1.9 M

Staffing FY05: approximately 30 FTEs

Interdisciplinary: 14 engineers, 5 audiologists, 4 psychologists, 7 other disciplines

Two teams (Cincinnati and PRL) have complementary strengths, coordinated research activities and plans

Intramural research FY05 funding = $ 4.1 M

Extramural research FY05 funding = $1.9 M

Staffing FY05: approximately 30 FTEs

Interdisciplinary: 14 engineers, 5 audiologists, 4 psychologists, 7 other disciplines

Two teams (Cincinnati and PRL) have complementary strengths, coordinated research activities and plans

HLR Program Funding1997-2005

HLR Program Funding1997-2005

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Millions

Intramural

Extramural

TotalBudget

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Millions

Intramural

Extramural

TotalBudget

Planning InputsPlanning Inputs

Surveillance data – derived internally and externally

Stakeholder input – workshops, NORA team, partnership activities

Risk assessment – criteria document, consensus committees

Scientific knowledge gap assessment

Surveillance data – derived internally and externally

Stakeholder input – workshops, NORA team, partnership activities

Risk assessment – criteria document, consensus committees

Scientific knowledge gap assessment

Program Development

Research Activities

Program Development

Research Activities

Establishing Program GoalsEstablishing Program Goals

Criteria Document 1998 Defined nine areas of research need

NORA Intramural Program 2001-2005

New areas emphasized; increased coordination across divisions

Planning for next five years Futures workshop Four research goals defined

Criteria Document 1998 Defined nine areas of research need

NORA Intramural Program 2001-2005

New areas emphasized; increased coordination across divisions

Planning for next five years Futures workshop Four research goals defined

Training &Motivation

NoiseControl

ProgramEvaluation

HearingProtectors

ExposureMonitoring

OtotoxicChemicals

HL PreventionPrograms

Causative Mechanisms

Hearing Protectors

Rehabilitation

Impulsive Noise

NonauditoryEffects

Engineering Controls

Funding OpportunitiesPartnerships

NORAExpertise Facilities

Research Needs (1998)

Research Goals (2005)

4 Research Goals4 Research Goals

1. Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of effective hearing loss prevention programs

2. Reduce hearing loss through interventions targeting personal protective equipment

3. Develop engineering controls to reduce noise exposures

4. Contribute to reductions in hearing loss through understanding causative mechanisms

1. Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of effective hearing loss prevention programs

2. Reduce hearing loss through interventions targeting personal protective equipment

3. Develop engineering controls to reduce noise exposures

4. Contribute to reductions in hearing loss through understanding causative mechanisms

Major Changes 1996-2005Major Changes 1996-2005

Growth in mining and construction research

Increased collaboration/interaction among NIOSH division and labs

Increased utilization of partnerships

Increased emphasis on engineering controls

Discontinuation of laboratory animal research in HLR program

Information dissemination through internet

Growth in mining and construction research

Increased collaboration/interaction among NIOSH division and labs

Increased utilization of partnerships

Increased emphasis on engineering controls

Discontinuation of laboratory animal research in HLR program

Information dissemination through internet

Program OutputsProgram Outputs

Types of OutputsTypes of Outputs

Scientific research reports: journal articles, technical reports, presentations, proceedings

Technology and Control Products: engineering designs, patents, prototypes

Recommendations: criteria documents, best-practices workshop proceedings, HHE reports, NIOSH alerts

Information dissemination: web-based information, pamphlets, videos, partner briefings

Scientific research reports: journal articles, technical reports, presentations, proceedings

Technology and Control Products: engineering designs, patents, prototypes

Recommendations: criteria documents, best-practices workshop proceedings, HHE reports, NIOSH alerts

Information dissemination: web-based information, pamphlets, videos, partner briefings

Balancing the Focus on Product Development

Balancing the Focus on Product Development

Scientific publications are essential to advancing scientific knowledge maintaining professional credibility supporting evidence for recommendations

Worker-friendly products are essential to meet customer needs

translate technical material into information workers and employers can use

transfer knowledge to those who can implement it

Scientific publications are essential to advancing scientific knowledge maintaining professional credibility supporting evidence for recommendations

Worker-friendly products are essential to meet customer needs

translate technical material into information workers and employers can use

transfer knowledge to those who can implement it

Partnerships and r2p for HLRPartnerships and r2p for HLR

Open doors to work sites, equipment, interaction with workers and employers, and stakeholder investment

Provide collaborative research

Create opportunities for transfer of NIOSH HLR Program outputs

Open doors to work sites, equipment, interaction with workers and employers, and stakeholder investment

Provide collaborative research

Create opportunities for transfer of NIOSH HLR Program outputs

External FactorsExternal Factors

Limited resources

Legislative directives or earmarks

Regulatory environment

Lack of surveillance data

Economic pressures, business climate for potential customers and partners

Nature of HL, low sense of urgency for hearing loss prevention in workplace

Limited resources

Legislative directives or earmarks

Regulatory environment

Lack of surveillance data

Economic pressures, business climate for potential customers and partners

Nature of HL, low sense of urgency for hearing loss prevention in workplace

Important ContributionsImportant Contributions

Two Criteria Documents – set policies, guide regulations and research directions

HPD Testing Standard and Rating System – basis of revised ANSI standard

Training and Education Programs – 13 ERCs trained over 1000 professionals per year over last 10 years

Two Criteria Documents – set policies, guide regulations and research directions

HPD Testing Standard and Rating System – basis of revised ANSI standard

Training and Education Programs – 13 ERCs trained over 1000 professionals per year over last 10 years

NIOSH ERC Training in HLNIOSH ERC Training in HL

Over 1000 students trained per year over the last decade

Important Contributions (continued)Important Contributions (continued)

Engineering Noise Controls in Mining and Construction – coated flight bars for continuous mining machines; database for powered hand tools

Ototoxic Chemical Effects – hazard identification; influenced guidelines, policies

Development of HL Surveillance Activities – NHANES, OSHA 300 log input, and others

Leadership and Support for HL Research – workshops, best practices, participation in consensus and advisory panels

Engineering Noise Controls in Mining and Construction – coated flight bars for continuous mining machines; database for powered hand tools

Ototoxic Chemical Effects – hazard identification; influenced guidelines, policies

Development of HL Surveillance Activities – NHANES, OSHA 300 log input, and others

Leadership and Support for HL Research – workshops, best practices, participation in consensus and advisory panels

HLR Program PresentationsHLR Program Presentations

RG1: Effective Hearing Loss Prevention Programs (C. Stephenson)

RG2: Hearing Protection Devices (W. Murphy)

RG3: Engineering Controls (R. J. Matetic)

RG4: Causative Mechanisms (R. Davis)

RG1: Effective Hearing Loss Prevention Programs (C. Stephenson)

RG2: Hearing Protection Devices (W. Murphy)

RG3: Engineering Controls (R. J. Matetic)

RG4: Causative Mechanisms (R. Davis)