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Occupational Hearing Loss in Washington State.

PB2005102842

Publication Date	2005
Personal Author	Daniell, W. E.
Page Count	126
Abstract	Washington State and experienced a large increase in workers' compensation claims for occupational hearing loss (OHL) during the 1990s, continuing to the present. Almost half of these claims involved persons beyond the usual retirement age, indicating at least part of the increase represents hearing loss caused by noise exposures that occurred many years or decades ago. However, the findings of studies of these claims and studies elsewhere, indicate that a substantial segment of the contemporary work force still faces a significant risk for developing OHL. There is a need for actions to address and remediate the underlying problems. There is also a critical need for information to guide any actions in a constructive and efficient manner. This study had four specific aims: (1) To identify the major pathways and influential factors by which individuals with OHL are identified and reported to the workers' compensation system; (2) To identify factors that may have contributed to the increased reporting of OHL in Washington State; (3) To determine whether there is any substantial work-related risk at the present time for OHL in industries with high numbers and/or rates of OHL claims; (4) To assess the relative effectiveness of using workers' compensation claims information to 'target' (i.e., appropriately identify) industries and worksites with remediable risk factors for a chronic occupational health problem, using OHL as a case in point.
Keywords	Occupational noise Noise induced hearing loss Washington(State) Workman's compensation Noise(Sound) Prevention Occupational safety and health Noise exposure Risk assessment Industries Data collection
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Corporate Authors	Washington Univ., Seattle.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Final rept.
NTIS Issue Number	200513

Occupational Hearing Loss in Washington State.

Occupational Hearing Loss in Washington State.
PB2005102842

Publication Date	2005
Personal Author	Daniell, W. E.
Page Count	126
Abstract	Washington State and experienced a large increase in workers' compensation claims for occupational hearing loss (OHL) during the 1990s, continuing to the present. Almost half of these claims involved persons beyond the usual retirement age, indicating at least part of the increase represents hearing loss caused by noise exposures that occurred many years or decades ago. However, the findings of studies of these claims and studies elsewhere, indicate that a substantial segment of the contemporary work force still faces a significant risk for developing OHL. There is a need for actions to address and remediate the underlying problems. There is also a critical need for information to guide any actions in a constructive and efficient manner. This study had four specific aims: (1) To identify the major pathways and influential factors by which individuals with OHL are identified and reported to the workers' compensation system; (2) To identify factors that may have contributed to the increased reporting of OHL in Washington State; (3) To determine whether there is any substantial work-related risk at the present time for OHL in industries with high numbers and/or rates of OHL claims; (4) To assess the relative effectiveness of using workers' compensation claims information to 'target' (i.e., appropriately identify) industries and worksites with remediable risk factors for a chronic occupational health problem, using OHL as a case in point.
Keywords	Occupational noise Noise induced hearing loss Washington(State) Workman's compensation Noise(Sound) Prevention Occupational safety and health Noise exposure Risk assessment Industries Data collection
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Corporate Authors	Washington Univ., Seattle.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Final rept.
NTIS Issue Number	200513