Research/studies Worker health and wellness Construction Hearing loss Construction

Older construction workers at increased risk for hearing loss: study

aging construction worker

Photo: Kuzma/iStockphoto

Silver Spring, MD — More than half of former construction workers have experienced hearing loss, and certain factors can exacerbate the condition, according to a recent study by the Center for Construction Research and Training (also known as CPWR).

Researchers looked at Building Trades Medical Screening Program data from more than 19,000 workers previously employed at Department of Energy nuclear power sites. The team used hearing test results and, after reviewing work history interviews, developed “qualitative exposure metrics” for noise and solvents. The study group was compared to an internal reference group with lower exposures and an external sample of workers who experienced low noise exposure.

The researchers found that 58 percent of the former construction workers had some form of hearing loss and, overall, had “significantly increased risk of hearing loss compared to reference populations.” In addition, those who worked for more than 30 years were nearly four times more likely to experience hearing loss than workers with fewer than 10 years on the job.

Other findings:

  • Smokers were 18 percent more likely than nonsmokers to experience hearing loss.
  • Workers with the highest amount of solvent exposure were 15 percent more likely than workers with the lowest exposure rates to experience hearing loss.

The researchers recommend that prevention efforts center on reducing worker exposure to noise, solvents and smoking.

The study was published Feb. 28 in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

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louise hillyer
November 13, 2019
I need this hearing device, have hearing aid still can't hear good

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Nan
November 14, 2019
So would like these but can’t afford them. I have some hearing from another and have struggled since the day I got them. Been so hard cry a lot. Always asking “what” feel so alone

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Wayne Prejean
November 21, 2019
I was a member of the Fire Dept oh 20 years and sirens were on the roof of the APPARATUS which I have lost hearing because of those high pitches and then feel of employment

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Cheri
January 9, 2020
I have earing aids as well. Need better ones. My hearing too is getting progressively worse. Construction worker 40 years.

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Doris Wilson
January 11, 2020
Where is what I wanted to read about Al Rooker?

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Napoleon Mitchell
January 23, 2020
I was employed at Brown’s Ferry Nuclear Plant on construction, and after. I have ringing in both ears all the time. It’s getting worse almost unbearable, they say (TVA) that I don’t have a hearing problem. What can I do?

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Richard Cropp
January 24, 2020
I have hearing loss, also tinnitus and was around construction for 37 years without the availability of hearing protection for the first 15.

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Wayne Nelson
January 30, 2020
I’ve worked in a punch press operation as a toolmaker and have hearing loss

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David Caddell
January 31, 2020
would like to know more

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Randal wallace
February 5, 2020
I'm a electrician by trade and have had hearing going bad for many years. I wish there was a good cheaper alternative to getting good hearing aids. I need some but cannot afford them.

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Milford Stephens
February 6, 2020
I worked construction alot and Donnelleys (23+yrs) while employed by Donnellys they tested hearing and told me I had a 50% loss. They said then we should wear hearing protection, but never offered to get me hearing aids. After that not long an operator friend was able to complete his experiment to make the strapers quiet in operation! The company did even opened a plant to produce them, I was told in S C.

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Mel (Milford) Stephens
February 6, 2020
I forgot to mention in my spill above I also have 16 years as a volunteer on the EMS and 9 years at a hospital running a floor scrubber they wouldn’t replace the ol noisy thing ( I tried to get it replaced to no avail ) when I left then they replace it!

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Joyce
February 21, 2020
What causes ringing ears in elderly women? No pain just constant ringing in both ears.