Organization: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Project title: Empower yourself to care for your hearing through knowledge and action. Fit-testing of hearing protection devices
Regions: [86] [10] [14] [17] [20] [23] [102]
Outline of the event:
Researchers from the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will offer free fit-testing of earplugs for NIOSH staff. The results of this activity, along with other examples of efforts to promote hearing health, will be disseminated through NIOSH social media channels, the NIOSH Science Blog, and thru the Wiki4WorldHearingDay2025 campaign. Exposure to excessive noise at work is a significant modifiable risk factor for hearing loss. Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are commonly used to prevent noise damage. However, their effectiveness heavily depends on proper usage and fit. Poorly fitted earplugs are unlikely to protect the user’s hearing. Hearing protector fit-testing systems measure the level of noise reduction provided by HPDs. This practice provides insights into the effectiveness of different devices in attenuating or reducing noise in your own unique ear. It gives HPDs wearers feedback of what the level of attenuation they are receiving “sounds like.”
Submitter: Thais Morata