Journal article
Hearing loss as a risk factor for agricultural injuries
American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.48(4), pp.293-301
10/2005
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20214
PMID: 16142735
Abstract
Background: Previous studies suggested that hearing impairment based on self-report might increase the risk of agricultural injuries. However, self-reported hearing measures may be subject to inaccuracy and subjective perception. We assessed the association of agricultural injuries with hearing loss and other hearing characteristics using measured hearing. Methods: Study subjects were 150 farmers who participated in the Iowa Certified Safe Farm study. Injury information was collected by telephone interviews at 2-5 month intervals from September 1999 to October 2002. Hearing levels were measured annually using the pure tone audiometry from 1998 to 2002. Adjusted rate ratios of injuries were calculated using the multivariate Poisson regression model. Results: Hearing loss in the better ear (RR = 1.62), hearing asymmetry (RR = 1.67), and fair/poor self-reported hearing (RR = 1.96) were significantly associated with the risk of agricultural injuries. It is notable that self-reported hearing might be a stronger predictor of injuries than pure tone audiometry (PTA). Exposure to noise elevated the risk of injuries in those farmers with hearing loss or hearing asymmetry. The occasional use of hearing protection was significantly associated with agricultural injuries. Conclusions: This study adds substantial evidence that hearing loss acts as a risk for agricultural injuries. Prevention of hearing loss and noise exposure may be important in reducing the burden of agricultural injuries. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Hearing loss as a risk factor for agricultural injuries
- Creators
- Seong-Woo Choi - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaCorinne Peek-Asa - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaNancy L Sprince - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaRisto H Rautiainen - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaKelley J Donham - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaGreg A Flamme - Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaPaul S Whitten - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaCraig Zwerling - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.48(4), pp.293-301
- DOI
- 10.1002/ajim.20214
- PMID
- 16142735
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Ind Med
- ISSN
- 0271-3586
- eISSN
- 1097-0274
- Publisher
- Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
- Number of pages
- 9
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2005
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Nursing; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984215042102771
Metrics
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