Knowledge Bank

Public health initiatives stipulate a reduction in the proportion of the population with noise-induced hearing loss. These initiatives do not differentiate between occupational noise-induced hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss incurred independently of occupational noise exposure. However, it is worthwhile to examine non-occupational noise-induced hearing loss because noise sources are varied and ubiquitous, the population at risk is so wide-ranging, it is not formally scrutinized by mandated programs or dedicated professionals to the same degree as occupational noise-induced hearing loss, and often does not utilize good principles of health communication to create concise educational messages. Audiologists can individually work to prevent non-occupational noise-induced hearing loss through education, which should involve principles of health communication and promotion, thoughtful and concise messages, the use of national messages as a springboard, and can also occur through school programs and routine office appointments. One can also contribute to the fulfillment of public health initiative by engaging in research to better quantify non-occupational noise hazards and the best methods to communicate good hearing health principles to the public.