TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of common agricultural tasks on measures of hearing loss
AU - Humann, Michael J.
AU - Sanderson, Wayne T.
AU - Gerr, Fred
AU - Kelly, Kevin M.
AU - Merchant, James A.
PY - 2012/10
Y1 - 2012/10
N2 - Background: Among agricultural populations, hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure is common. However, examinations of associations between exposure to agricultural tasks and hearing loss are limited. Methods: Audiometry and lifetime exposure to 11 agricultural tasks were analyzed among 1,568 participants. Gender stratified multivariable linear regression was used to estimate associations between exposure duration and three hearing loss metrics. Results: Among men, significant associations were observed between hearing loss and hunting or target shooting, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or motorcycle riding, chain saw use, electric or pneumatic tool use, living on a farm, and all agricultural tasks combined. When all significant exposure metrics were included in a single model, associations remained for hunting or target shooting, electric or pneumatic tool use and living on a farm. Significant associations were sparse among women, and in all cases paradoxical. Conclusions: Despite imprecise estimation of noise exposure, specific agricultural tasks were associated with hearing loss.
AB - Background: Among agricultural populations, hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure is common. However, examinations of associations between exposure to agricultural tasks and hearing loss are limited. Methods: Audiometry and lifetime exposure to 11 agricultural tasks were analyzed among 1,568 participants. Gender stratified multivariable linear regression was used to estimate associations between exposure duration and three hearing loss metrics. Results: Among men, significant associations were observed between hearing loss and hunting or target shooting, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or motorcycle riding, chain saw use, electric or pneumatic tool use, living on a farm, and all agricultural tasks combined. When all significant exposure metrics were included in a single model, associations remained for hunting or target shooting, electric or pneumatic tool use and living on a farm. Significant associations were sparse among women, and in all cases paradoxical. Conclusions: Despite imprecise estimation of noise exposure, specific agricultural tasks were associated with hearing loss.
KW - Agricultural health
KW - Hearing loss
KW - Noise
KW - Occupational health
KW - Risk factors
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U2 - 10.1002/ajim.22077
DO - 10.1002/ajim.22077
M3 - Article
C2 - 22674632
AN - SCOPUS:84866148742
SN - 0271-3586
VL - 55
SP - 904
EP - 916
JO - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
JF - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
IS - 10
ER -