Citation

Depczynski J, Challinor K, Fragar L. J. Agromed. 2011; 16(2): 127-142.

Affiliation

Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Moree, New South Wales, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1059924X.2011.554770

PMID

21462025

Abstract

This study compares the hearing status and behaviors of Australian farmers from 1994-2001 with those from 2002-2008. Over this period the authors found (1) there was a 12.5% overall improvement in the proportion of farmers with normal hearing in left ears, with the likelihood of a screening participant having normal hearing improving by almost 9% each year; (2) significant improvements in the mean hearing threshold of both ears from 1 to 6 kHz; (3) significantly higher mean hearing thresholds for 35- to 44-year-old farmers exposed to firearms, chainsaws, workshop tools, heavy machinery, and tractors with cabins compared to nonexposed groups; (4) nonuse of hearing protection devices by young farmers (15 to 24 years old), was associated with hearing loss for those using uncabined tractors. Despite a reduction in noise injury, further adoption of noise reduction strategies for specific agricultural work practices is required.

Language: en