Noise and Hearing Loss

Scientific Publications and Data

At a glance

Find NIOSH research publications, datasets, and trade publication articles below.

Magnifying glass over graphs of research data

Publications

Frequently used publications

Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure

Preventing Hearing Loss Caused by Chemical (Ototoxicity) and Noise Exposure

Practical Guide for Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss

Occupational Hearing Loss Statistics

Publication search

Search the NIOSHTIC-2 database of occupational safety and health publications funded in whole or in part by NIOSH. The following links provide customized NIOSHTIC-2 search results for noise and hearing loss prevention topics:

Highlighted surveillance scientific publications

Prevalence of hearing protection device non-use among noise-exposed U.S. workers in 2007 and 2014 Green-DR; Masterson-EA; Themann-CL; American Journal of Industrial Medicine; 2021; 64(12): 1002-1017

Occupational noise exposure: A review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden Themann-CL; Masterson-EA; Journal of the Acoustical Society of America; 2019; 146:3878-3905

Prevalence of hearing loss among noise-exposed workers within the Mining, and Oil and Gas Extraction Sectors, 2006-2015Lawson-SM; Masterson-EA; Azman-AS; American Journal of Industrial Medicine; 2019; 62:826-837

Cardiovascular conditions, hearing difficulty and occupational noise exposure within U.S. industries and occupations Kerns-E; Masterson-EA; Themann-CL; Calvert-GM; American Journal of Industrial Medicine; 2018; 61:477-494

Hearing difficulty and tinnitus among workers and non-workers in 2007 Masterson-EA; Themann-CL; Luckhaupt-SE; Li-J; Calvert-GM; American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2016; 59: 290-300

Trends in worker hearing loss by industry sector, 1981-2010Masterson-EA; Deddens-JA; Themann-CL; Bertke-S; Calvert-GM; American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2015; 58: 392-401

Prevalence of hearing loss in the United States by industryMasterson-EA; Tak-S; Themann-CL; Wall-DK; Groenewold-MR; Deddens-JA; Calvert-GM; American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2013; 56: 670-681

Trade publications

Hearing protection: Critical, but often unused Masterson-EA; Industrial Hygiene in the Workplace Magazine 2022; May/June: 42

Hearing Loss Among Health Care and Social Assistance Workers: A NIOSH Study Lawson-SM; Masterson-EA; The Hearing Journal 2019; 72(1): 12-13

Trends in Worker Hearing Loss within the Manufacturing Sector, 1981-2010 Masterson-EA; CAOHC Update 2015; 27(1): 8-10

Patterns of quality in audiometric data for US workers Masterson-EA; Spectrum 2013; 30(1): 18-19

NIOSH announces first results from Occupational Hearing Loss Surveillance Project Masterson-EA; CAOHC Update Fall 2012; 24(2): 1, 4

NIOSH Science Blogs

NIOSH Science Blogs on occupational hearing loss are available under the Hearing Loss category. Subscribe to the NIOSH Science Blog and receive e-mail notification when new blogs in all categories are posted.

Data

Publication Dataset: Trends in Worker Hearing Loss by Industry Sector, 1981-2010

The dataset for this 2015 publication included audiograms for the years 1981 through 2010. This includes the dataset analyzed in the published article, along with the article reference, abstract and description of data collection efforts.

Publication Dataset: Prevalence of Hearing Loss in the United States by Industry

The dataset for this 2013 publication included audiograms for the years 2000 through 2008. This includes the dataset analyzed in the published article, along with the article reference, abstract and description of data collection efforts.

NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program Noise Measurement Database

Includes noise measurement results collected during NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) surveys from 1996 through 2012.

NIOSH Power Tools Sound Power Database

Contains sound power levels and vibrations data for a variety of common power tools that have been tested by researchers.

Disclaimer: The NIOSH Power Tools Sound Power Dataset does not include a comprehensive list of manufacturers or products in the categories listed. The products and manufacturers listed were chosen based on criteria such as the most sold and power tools that were available for purchase online and in retail stores as of 2011. NIOSH conducted tests on the sound levels and functionality of each product and developed the dataset as a demonstration project. Mention of any company or product is for informational purposes and does not constitute endorsement by CDC, NIOSH.