A Scoping Review: Identifying Targeted Intervention Strategies for Workers with Occupational Hearing Loss

Abstract

An apparent disconnect exist in workplaces regarding identification of occupational hearing loss (OHL) and implementation of specific strategies to prevent progression of OHL, evident through continued high incidence of OHL. This scoping review aimed to identify evidence regarding targeted intervention used by industry, specifically to prevent the progression of OHL for workers. The scoping review was undertaken using the PRISMA-ScR methodology. Search terms were based on three broad categories, hearing loss, workplace, and intervention. Initially 1309 articles were identified for screening and 1,207 studies not meeting the criteria were excluded. Full text reviews of 102 articles were completed and a further 93 studies excluded. The scoping review produced nine studies which were quantitatively analysed. All interventions focused primarily on lower order controls, specifically administrative and personal protective equipment. Eight studies focused on awareness training, health monitoring, mandating hearing protection device use and fit testing, and using personal attenuation ratings as a predictor to OHL. Only one study mentioned isolation of workers from noise sources, and this was an interview study with workplace managers, not a specific intervention at a workplace. The result of the review highlights the lack of published literature on targeted interventions for workers with OHL. There is insufficient evidence to inform effective, impactful change in practice to prevent the progression of OHL. It is recommended that a system of collecting and assessing specific interventions and controls for workers with OHL be developed to better inform industry on strategies that will provide adequate protection for these workers.

A current affair: worker perceptions of noise exposure and occupational hearing loss in Australian coal mines

“… Liebenberg et al (2023) summarized the legal approaches of different countries towards OHL, and where most countries employ a prescriptive approach to the management of workplace health hazards, Australia takes a risk-based management approach. The national model Code of Practice for managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work ( Safe Work Australia 2020 ) places a duty of care on both the employer and the employee to manage and reduce their noise exposure risk in the workplace.…”