Millions of American farm workers suffer from impaired communication, reduced self-esteem, and disrupted intimacy, a result of noise-induced hearing loss. This high-risk group is exposed to hazardous noise from a wide range of sources, including tractors, dryers, silage blowers, mowers, livestock, and chain saws. Farm workers can prevent hearing loss by using hearing protection devices when they are exposed to hazardous noise. Recognition of hazardous noise, interpersonal support from safety partners and the availability of hearing protection where needed increases the frequency of hearing protection use. However, hearing protection use remains low among this high-risk population despite decades of efforts to train workers. This innovative R21 project will test the hypothesis that personalized information provided to farm workers and safety partners will increase the use of hearing protection more consistently and effectively than traditional training.
Protecting Farm Workers’ Hearing through Personalized Automated Training
