HETA 89-0026-2495 NIOSH INVESTIGATOR: 

MARCH 1995 RANDY L. TUBBS, Ph.D.

HAMILTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

HAMILTON, OHIO

I. SUMMARY

On October 28, 1988, a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) was received

from the Deputy Chief for Operations and Administration of the Hamilton, Ohio Fire

Department who asked the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

(NIOSH) for assistance to the fire department. Specifically, he requested that noise

exposure levels emitted by the vehicles as well as time-weighted average noise levels

in the fire stations be measured in conjunction with a hearing loss analysis of the

Hamilton Fire Department (HFD).

Tape recordings of the department's front line and reserve fire apparatus were made in

Hamilton, Ohio on May 25, 1989. The vehicles made Code 3 responses (lights and

sirens) on an approximately one-third mile stretch of road on the outskirts of town

away from major residential areas while recordings were being made in two riding

positions on each of the vehicles. In addition, twenty-four hour noise dosimeter

surveys were conducted for two consecutive days at the six HFD fire stations in

June 1990. Audiometric testing was completed on 90 HFD fire fighters on March 13-

15, 1990, by NIOSH hearing conservationists. Fifty-five of the 90 fire fighters had

previously been tested by the department in late 1983 or early 1984. The hearing tests

from the two time periods were compared in order to observe any changes that had

occurred over this six-year span. 

The noise surveys revealed that the 24-hour cumulative noise doses were generally less

than the amount allowed under any of the environmental evaluation criteria used by

NIOSH. However, portions of the analyses found noise levels that greatly exceeded

the exposure limits for brief periods of time. These high exposures were usually

associated with emergency response runs in the fire vehicles. The potential for high

noise exposures from the vehicles was confirmed by the spectral data analyses which

revealed noise levels in excess of 120 decibels (dB) at certain frequencies.

The audiometric data collected by NIOSH on the 90 HFD fire fighters showed a

decline in hearing ability in the high frequency sound region, a pattern characteristic of

noise-induced hearing loss. The statistical comparisons between the earlier tests and

the hearing tests conducted during this evaluation found a significant decline in

hearing at the 4000 Hertz (Hz) test tone. At the same time, a significant

"improvement" in hearing at the low audiometric test frequencies, 500 Hz to 2000 Hz,

was seen in the same group of 55 fire fighters. These data suggest that, in spite of the

fire fighters' improved ability to take a hearing test, there was still a significant loss of

hearing in the noise sensitive region.

This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally

applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.

Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports

This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally

applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.

Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports

This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally

applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.

applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.

Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports
Based on the results of the audiometric data analyses, as well as the potential for

high level noise exposures in the HFD, the NIOSH investigator concludes that a

health hazard exists for fire fighters in the department. A statistically significant

loss of high frequency hearing was found in a comparison of two audiometric

examinations administered to HFD personnel over a six-year period, the latter

audiometric tests given in conjunction with this HHE and the initial tests given by

the department in late 1983 or early 1984. Section IX of this health hazard

evaluation report offers recommendations to the HFD to reduce the noise exposures

to the fire fighters and help prevent further hearing losses.

KEYWORDS: SIC 9224 (Fire departments, including volunteer), noise exposure,

noise dosimetry, fire apparatus noise, hearing loss, hearing conservation.
Page 3 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

II. INTRODUCTION

On October 28, 1988, a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) was received

from the Deputy Chief for Operations and Administration of the Hamilton, Ohio Fire

Department who asked the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

(NIOSH) for assistance in evaluating noise exposures during normal activities and the

hearing loss among the Hamilton Fire Department (HFD) personnel. An opening

conference was held on November 23, 1988, at the Hamilton City Building. In

attendance at this meeting were members of the fire department's administration office,

the city manager, a representative of union Local #20 of the International Association

of Fire Fighters, and the NIOSH project officer. During the conference, it was

determined that NIOSH would conduct audiometric examinations on fire department

personnel, conduct noise dosimetry over 24-hour work shifts at each of the

department's fire stations, and analyze the department's vehicles for the spectral

content of the noise output from these vehicles. In addition, the results from

audiometric tests given to HFD fire fighters in late 1983 or early 1984 would be

provided to NIOSH for comparison to the hearing test results generated by this HHE.

The results of the spectral analysis of the department's vehicles along with preliminary

recommendations to reduce vehicle noise were provided to management and union

officials in an interim report dated July 1989. The results of the audiometric

examination were briefly reviewed with each fire fighter by the Project Officer

immediately following the test and were also provided in detail by letter on April 4,

1990. This final report presents a summary of the previously reported results and a

more thorough analysis of the data than that provided in the earlier reports.

III. BACKGROUND

The HFD is a paid, municipal fire department that is responsible for providing fire

protection, fire prevention, inspection, education, and emergency medical services

(EMS) to a city of 61,000 people in southwestern Ohio. The city maintains six fire

stations throughout the city, with six front-line pumpers, two ladder trucks, and two

front-line EMS squads to serve the area. Approximately 100 fire fighters are employed

by the HFD to man these stations 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Fire fighters

are on a 24-hour shift schedule. In 1986 and 1987, the department responded to 4000

fire incidents and over 5000 EMS runs each of the two years.
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IV. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Vehicle Spectrum Measurements

Tape recordings of the fire apparatus were made in Hamilton, Ohio on

May 25, 1989. The vehicles made Code 3 responses (lights and sirens) on an

approximately one-third mile stretch of road on the outskirts of town, away from

major residential areas, while recordings were being made in two riding positions

on each of the vehicles. The road coarse has a fairly steep incline which put a

load on the engine to maximize the noise emissions from the engine and

transmission. This scenario allowed a 30-60 second audio recording to be made

for each vehicle tested at each of the two riding positions. For the department's

engines and trucks, recordings were made in the center of the cab and in the

passenger's side of the jumpseat. The department's EMS squads were measured at

the passenger seat in the cab and in the patient compartment near the cot.

Audio recordings were made with a Panasonic Model SV-250 Digital Audio Tape

(DAT) Recorder. A Sennheiser Model MKH 20P48U3 Omnidirectional

Condenser Microphone, Neuman Model BS-48 Phantom Power Supply, and

appropriate microphone cables were connected to the DAT recorder. Because of

the potential for relatively high sound levels, the attenuators on the microphone

and on the recorder were placed in the on position. However, the noise limiter on

the recorder remained in the off position during the recordings. Prior to testing

each vehicle, calibration tones were placed on the tape with a General Radio

Model 1562-A Sound Level Calibrator with a 1" microphone coupler. The

spectral analysis of these recordings were completed with a Wavetek Model 444A

Mini-Ubiquitous FFT Computing Spectrum Analyzer. Either 24 second or 48

second time periods, depending on the length of time it took the vehicle to

complete the road course, were integrated into the 1/3 octave band center

frequencies from 25 Hertz (Hz) to 20000 Hz. These 1/3 octave band values were

plotted with a personal computer system and associated software.

B. Dosimetry

Noise dosimeter surveys were conducted in June 1990 at each of the HFD fire

stations. Each station was surveyed on two consecutive days for 24 hours each

day. A NIOSH field investigator was at the surveyed station during the entire

sampling period. Whenever a vehicle left the station, the NIOSH investigator

rode in one of the extra jumpseat positions. A detailed time log was kept so that

the time of the responses could be calculated and any noisy events could be noted.
Page 5 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

Members of the crew assigned to a vehicle were asked to wear a noise dosimeter

for their entire work shift. If they were required to put on their turnout gear for an

emergency response, the fire fighters were reminded to place the microphone of

the dosimeter outside of the turnout gear, exposing it to the noise environment. 

The noise dosimeters were Metrosonic Model dB301/26 Metrologgers, a small

noise level recording device worn on the waist, with a 1/4-inch remote

microphone placed on the shirt collar of the station uniform. This dosimeter

measures noise in decibels, A-weighted levels (dB[A]) four times per second. 

The measurements are integrated according to the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) noise regulation (see Evaluation Criteria section of this

report) for an entire minute and stored separately in the Metrologger for data

storage and later analysis. Generally, four or five fire fighters were given

dosimeters at each of the surveyed station houses.

Each dosimeter was calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions before

being placed on a fire fighter. Memory constraints limit the time that these

dosimeters are able to record and store noise data to eight hours. After the 8-hour

period was completed, the dosimeter was removed from the fire fighter and placed

in the standby mode of operation and another dosimeter put in its place. The data

were transferred to a computer for storage and the dosimeter was calibrated to

assure the accuracy of the device had not changed during the sampling period. 

The data from each Metrologger dosimeter were transferred to a Metrosonics

Model dt-390 Metroreader/Data Collector following the noise sampling. The

information was then transferred to a laptop computer with a Metrosonics'

Metrosoft software package for permanent data storage and later analysis.

C. Audiometric Testing

The audiometric tests for the HHE were administered by a Council for

Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) certified

occupational hearing conservationist on March 13-15, 1990. Testing was

conducted in the basement meeting room of Station #5, where an Acoustic

Systems Model RE-60 Transportable Sound Booth was assembled to isolate the

fire fighter during the testing procedure and keep the ambient noise levels to a

minimum. Audiometric testing was done with a Tracor Model RA400

Microprocessor Audiometer, which also allowed for the electronic storage of the

audiometric results. The audiometric data were downloaded daily to a laptop

computer for permanent storage and later analysis.

The audiometric tests were administered over a three day period so that all three

shifts of fire fighters would be on duty one of the test days. Engine and truck
Page 6 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

companies reported to the test site individually for audiometric testing. Informed

consent was obtained from each fire fighter prior to testing. Additionally, a short,

self-administered work history questionnaire (Appendix 1) was completed by the

participants prior to taking the audiometric examination. Following a brief set of

instructions about the hearing test procedure, pure-tone audiometric thresholds

were obtained from the fire fighters at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, and

8000 Hertz (Hz) separately for each ear, beginning with the left ear. Total test

time was approximately 10 minutes per person. The audiometer was given an

exhaustive calibration by a designated manufacturer's laboratory immediately

prior to this HHE. Daily biological calibrations were made with a Tracor Oscar II

electro-acoustic ear.

V. EVALUATION CRITERIA

A. Noise

Noise-induced loss of hearing is an irreversible, sensorineural condition that

progresses with exposure. Although hearing ability declines with age

(presbycusis) in all populations, exposure to noise produces hearing loss greater

than that resulting from the natural aging process. This noise-induced loss is

caused by damage to nerve cells of the inner ear (cochlea) and, unlike some

conductive hearing disorders, cannot be treated medically.1 While loss of hearing

may result from a single exposure to a very brief impulse noise or explosion, such

traumatic losses are rare. In most cases, noise-induced hearing loss is insidious. 

Typically, it begins to develop at 4000 or 6000 Hz (the hearing range is 20 Hz to

20000 Hz) and spreads to lower and higher frequencies. Often, material

impairment has occurred before the condition is clearly recognized. Such

impairment is usually severe enough to permanently affect a person's ability to

hear and understand speech under everyday conditions. Although the primary

frequencies of human speech range from 200 Hz to 2000 Hz, research has shown

that the consonant sounds, which enable people to distinguish words such as

"fish" from "fist," have still higher frequency components.2

The A-weighted decibel [dB(A)] is the preferred unit for measuring sound levels

to assess worker noise exposures. The decibel unit is dimensionless, and

represents the logarithmic relationship of the measured sound pressure level to an

arbitrary reference sound pressure (20 micropascals, the normal threshold of

human hearing at a frequency of 1000 Hz). Decibel units are used because of the

very large range of sound pressure levels which are audible to the human ear. The

dB(A) scale is weighted to approximate the sensory response of the human ear to
Page 7 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

sound frequencies. Because the dB(A) scale is logarithmic, increases of 3 dBA,

10 dBA, and 20 dBA represent a doubling, tenfold increase, and 100-fold increase

of sound energy, respectively. It should be noted that noise exposures expressed

in decibels cannot be averaged by taking the simple arithmetic mean.

The OSHA standard for occupational exposure to noise (29 CFR 1910.95)3

specifies a maximum PEL of 90 dB(A)-slow response for a duration of

eight hours per day. The regulation, in calculating the PEL, uses a 5 dB

time/intensity trading relationship, or exchange rate. This means that in order for

a person to be exposed to noise levels of 95 dB(A), the amount of time allowed at

this exposure level must be cut in half in order to be within OSHA's PEL. 

Conversely, a person exposed to 85 dB(A) is allowed twice as much time at this

level (16 hours) and is within his daily PEL. NIOSH, in its Criteria for a

Recommended Standard,4 proposes an exposure limit of 85 dB(A) for 8 hours, 5

dB less than the OSHA standard. The NIOSH criteria also use a 5 dB

time/intensity trading relationship in calculating exposure limits. In 1994, the

ACGIH changed its TLV to a more protective 85 dB(A) for an 8-hour exposure,

with the stipulation that a 3 dB exchange rate be used to calculate time-varying

noise exposures.5

 Thus, a worker can be exposed to 85 dB(A) for 8 hours, but to

only 88 dB(A) for 4 hours or 91 dB(A) for 2 hours. 
Page 8 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

Time-weighted average (TWA) noise limits as a function of exposure duration are

shown as follows:

Sound Level dB(A) 

Duration of

 Exposure (hrs/day) ACGIH NIOSH OSHA

16 82 80 85

8 85 85 90

4 88 90 95

2 91 95 100 

1 94 100 105 

1/2 97 105 110 

1/4 100 110 115*

1/8 103 115* ---

 *** **

* No exposure to continuous or intermittent noise in

 excess of 115 dB(A).

** Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not

 exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.

*** No exposure to continuous, intermittent, or impact

 noise in excess of a peak C-weighted level of 140 dB. 

The duration and sound level intensities can be combined in order to calculate a

worker's daily noise dose according to the formula:

Dose = 100 X (C1/T1 + C2/T2 + ... + Cn/Tn ),

where Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specific noise level and Tn

indicates the reference duration for that level as given in the above table. During

any 24-hour period, a worker is allowed up to 100% of his daily noise dose. 

Doses greater than 100% are in excess of the OSHA PEL.

The OSHA regulation has an additional action level (AL) of 85 dB(A) which

stipulates that an employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing

conservation program when the TWA value exceeds the AL. The program must

include monitoring, employee notification, observation, an audiometric
Page 9 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

testing program, hearing protectors, training programs, and recordkeeping

requirements. All of these stipulations are included in 29 CFR 1910.95,

paragraphs (c) through (o).

The OSHA noise standard also states that when workers are exposed to noise

levels in excess of the OSHA PEL of 90 dB(A), feasible engineering or

administrative controls shall be implemented to reduce the workers' exposure

levels. Also, a continuing, effective hearing conservation program shall be

implemented.

B. Audiometry

Audiometric test results are combined according to different criteria in order to

ascertain the hearing handicap for speech perception or for the determination of

noise effects on hearing. A criterion proposed by NIOSH in its criteria document

for occupational noise exposure4 is intended to determine the amount of handicap

in speech perception and communication abilities. It averages the hearing level in

decibels (dB HL re ANSI S3.6-1969)6 at the pure-tone frequencies of 1000, 2000,

and 3000 Hz for both ears. The criterion incorporates a 25 dB "low fence" value. 

This means that the dB HL average value must exceed 25 dB before a hearing

impairment is said to exist. The percentage of impairment is calculated by

multiplying each decibel in excess of 25 dB HL by 1.5%. For example, an

average dB HL of 40 for this metric would represent a 22.5% hearing impairment. 

A second criterion has been proposed by the American Academy of

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.7 The criterion combines the pure-tone

frequencies of 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. This combination will be most sensitive

to the sensorineural effects on the ear from noise because of the propensity of

these frequencies to deteriorate sooner when exposed to loud noises.8 It also

incorporates a 25 dB low fence in calculating the percentage of hearing handicap

for these audiometric test frequencies.

Finally, a criterion proposed by Eagles, et al.9

 for single-frequency hearing

impairment determination also uses a low fence of 25 dB HL. With this criterion,

any person who had a hearing level of 26 dB HL or greater at any single frequency

was classified as having some degree of hearing loss. The degree of loss could

range from "mild" (26-40 dB HL) to "profound" (> 90 dB HL). This criterion

differs from the other two criteria in that it looks at single test frequencies rather

than average hearing levels across several frequencies. This single-frequency

criterion was used to categorize the hearing losses for individual fire fighters in

their audiometric test results letter.
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VI. RESULTS

A. Vehicle Spectrum Measurements

All of the HFD front-line fire and EMS vehicles were tested on the road course for

noise emissions. The vehicle descriptions and their warning devices are presented

in Table 1. A total of 10 front-line vehicles, consisting of 6 engines, 2 ladder

trucks, and 2 EMS squads, were brought to the road course for the noise analysis. 

As is shown in this table, the major warning device of the fire suppression

vehicles is the Federal Signal "Q" Siren, usually located in the front of the vehicle

above the bumper. All electronic siren speakers, with the exception of Squad #1,

were located in light bars on the roof of the vehicle's cab. Squad #1 had front

grille speakers for its electronic siren. Air horns were located on the roof area of

the apparatus.

A review of the spectral plots of the vehicles (Figures 1-10) reveals several

interesting findings. The noise from the diesel engine peaks at 125 Hz. This is

seen most clearly in the spectral plots of the two Pirsch diesel engine pumpers

(Companies #2 and #5). Because of the mid-chassis location of the engines on

these vehicles, the levels in the jumpseats are generally 9-12 dB higher than the

levels measured in the cabs. In two instances, the 1/3 octave band noise level

exceeded 120 dB at the 125 Hz band. The engine sound levels from the Pirsch

gasoline pumpers peak at a lower frequency than those from the diesel engines,

with maximum sound levels generally seen at 63 Hz. The overall sound levels are

also a little lower in the gasoline-powered vehicles, particularly in the jumpseat

riding positions. The Pirsch ladder truck was found to be similar to the diesel

powered Pirsch pumpers, both in terms of the overall sound levels and the spectral

characteristics of the two types of vehicles. The newer Seagrave aerial ladder

truck had lower overall sound intensity levels than the older Pirsch ladder truck.

The one engine with only an electronic siren in operation was the Ford E-One

Pumper of Company #6. The spectral plots for this vehicle (Figure 5) reveal a

different pattern than those observed for the other diesel-powered pumpers. This

vehicle exhibits peak sound levels in the 800-1600 Hz range. These frequencies

are from the siren, with the higher noise levels in the jumpseat the result of siren

noise traveling over the top of the roof and down into the jumpseat. Additionally,

in the cab there is a peak noise level for the 1/3 octave band at 630 Hz. This is the

frequency of the air horns located on the roof of the cab. This same pattern of

peak 1/3 octave bands measured in the 630-1600 Hz range from of the warning

devices is seen in the EMS vehicles. The smaller engines on these vehicles

produce less noise than those on the fire suppression apparatus. A comparison of
Page 11 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

the old EMS squad to the new 1988 vehicle show that improvements in noise

reduction are possible. One major improvement seen in Squad #1 is the

movement of the siren speakers from the roof light bar to the grille mounts. 

Additional improvements are the tighter seals around compartments in the patient

area, resulting in fewer rattles when the vehicle is in motion.

Overall noise levels were calculated from the spectral data for each of the 10

vehicles tested, including both an unweighted calculation as well as a calculation

of the A-weighted sound level of the vehicles. For the six engine companies, the

value of the unweighted noise levels range from 106 dB for the Ford E-One

pumper to 124 dB for a diesel-powered Pirsch pumper. The A-weighted noise

levels for the same group ranged from 100 dB(A) for a gasoline-powered Pirsch

pumper to 118 dB(A) for the Ford E-One. The two truck companies have noise

levels that range from 108 to 119 dB on the unweighted scale and from 102 to 107

dB(A) for the weighted scale. In both instances, the newer Seagrave truck is the

quieter of the two vehicles. The two EMS squads have unweighted noise levels of

91 to 94 dB, with the newer vehicle being the quieter one. A similar finding is

seen for the A-weighted sound with levels ranging from 79 to 101 dB(A).

B. Dosimetry

A total of 40 full-shift noise dosimeter samples were collected in June 1990 on

fire fighters at the six HFD stations. Each sample is the accumulation of the noise

dose recorded from three consecutive eight-hour dosimeter periods, covering the

24-hour time period that the fire fighter was on duty. If any individual's three

consecutive dosimeter readouts were unavailable due to equipment malfunction,

the entire full-shift sample for that fire fighter was not included in the group data

analysis. Dosimeter data were collected on two consecutive days at each fire

station by a NIOSH field person who was at the station and responded along with

HFD fire fighters.

The dosimeter results for the engine, truck, and squad companies are given in

Table 2. The table gives the company number, the date of noise dosimeter testing,

and the total number of times when the vehicle left the station house (responses)

and how many of these responses were emergency in nature with sirens and/or air

horns operating. The noise data are presented as a percentage of a daily noise

dose according to OSHA regulations, which stipulates a maximum daily dose of

100%. If a fire fighter receives less than 100% of a dose during his or her work

shift, the employee is within the OSHA exposure limit. If the dose exceeds 100%,

then the fire fighter is over-exposed to noise on that particular day according to

the OSHA noise standard. Finally, a column labeled "Maximum" is the greatest
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one minute average dB(A) level recorded for any of the fire fighters assigned to

the vehicle on the sampling day. It represents a short-term exposure period

indicative of siren noise, air horn noise, or equipment testing noise.

Only Company #2, which used a 1975 diesel-powered Pirsch pumper, exceeded a

median noise dose of 50% on each of the days tested. This median value exceeds

the NIOSH REL. There was one individual who also surpassed the OSHA noise

PEL, with a dose of 118%. The median noise doses for the remaining engine

companies, truck companies, and EMS squads were all below the NIOSH and

OSHA limits. With only three exceptions, all of the tested companies had at least

one emergency response where the vehicle used its warning devices for a period

of time. All maximum one-minute noise levels captured with the dosimeters were

greater than 90 dB(A). However, there was no instance where the maximum oneminute level exceeded 115 dB(A), which is the OSHA not-to-exceed limit for

noise.

C. Audiometry

A total of 90 audiometric examinations and questionnaires were obtained from the

approximately 100 HFD fire fighters employed at the time of the survey. Most of

the fire fighters who were not tested were either on vacation or had some other

scheduling problem which prevented them from reporting to the hearing test

location on the audiometric testing days. Only one or two fire fighters declined to

volunteer to have their hearing tested. In late 1983 or early 1984, unrelated to the

NIOSH evaluation, the city had the hearing ability of the HFD personnel tested by

the local health department. The results from the 84 hearing tests were provided

to the NIOSH investigator for analysis. Fifty-five of the fire fighters tested in

1983-84 were also tested in March 1990 as part of this HHE. Retirements during

the six-year period, along with new hires after early 1984, accounted for the

differences in both the overall number and specific persons tested on the two

occasions. The hearing tests given by the city varied in the audiometric

frequencies that were recorded, with the city's test omitting 3000 Hz and 6000 Hz. 

The conditions under which the two sets of audiometric tests were performed

were most likely comparable in all other respects.

The questionnaire data show that all but one HFD fire fighter is male, with a mean

age of 37 years (range = 21 to 55 years of age). Their mean time in service is 12

years, ranging from 1 month to 30 years. For forty-eight percent of the

department, fire fighting was the only career the people ever had. Fifty-six

percent of the HFD personnel had military experience, most of them for four

years. However, only 10 individuals reported having fired a weapon in the service
Page 13 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

more than 100 days. A review of the fire fighters' hobbies revealed that 31% are

hunters and/or shooters, 22% have ridden motorcycles, 42% use a chain saw, 13%

have done mechanized farming, 38% use power tools for woodworking, and 18%

routinely listen to loud music. Thirty of the 90 respondents reported ear troubles

that have been severe enough to visit a physician. Only 17% of the fire fighters

reported tinnitus ("ringing in their ears").

The median audiometric test results from each ear of the 90 HFD fire fighters

were graphed in order to observe any major differences between the two ears

(Figure 11). The median difference is only 5 dB between the left and right ear,

with the right ear being consistently the better of the two ears. Because of the

small difference, the results from each fire fighter's two ears were averaged for the

rest of the analyses.

The distributions of age and time in service were analyzed to organize the

audiometric data in groups that were sufficiently large and also fairly equal in

size. The resulting age groups are: thirty years of age or less (24 fire fighters),

31-35 years (17), 36-40 years (14), 41-45 years (16), and greater than 45 years of

age (19). The groups of fire service time are: 4 years or less (20 fire fighters),

5-9 years (21), 10 -14 years (16), 15-19 years (13), and 20 or more years of service

(20). The median hearing levels for the age categories are shown in Figure 12. 

The data are characterized by a sloping high-frequency loss of hearing from 2000

Hz to 6000 Hz, with a slight improvement at 8000 Hz. This pattern is indicative

of noise-induced permanent threshold shifts. The oldest group of fire fighters

exhibits the poorest hearing ability. However, in the younger groups, there is no

clear relationship between age and degree of high frequency hearing loss. A

steady, age-related increase in hearing loss is not apparent in these data. Similar

findings are seen when the audiometric data are analyzed by length of fire service

(Figure 13). A high-frequency loss of hearing is also seen in these data, with the

fire fighters with the most service time exhibiting the greater losses. There is,

however, a more consistent pattern of increasing hearing loss over time in service,

at least for the two most senior groups, particularly at 3000 and 4000 Hz.

In order to see if the HFD fire fighters were exhibiting a change in hearing

between 1984 and 1990, the data from the 55 fire fighters who were tested both

times were evaluated. Each fire fighter's hearing levels at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz

were averaged in order to investigate changes in lower frequency hearing, which

is less susceptible to change from noise exposures. A high-frequency indicator of

noise insult was also analyzed, but the 1984 test's omission of 3000 and 6000 Hz

made it impossible to use an average score. Therefore, the change in hearing

between 1984 and 1990 at the 4000 Hz test frequency was compared. The mean
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hearing level for the lower frequency average was found to be 10.0 dB on the first

test and 8.0 dB on the second test, an average improvement for the group of 2 dB. 

For the higher single-frequency comparison (4000 Hz), the mean hearing level

was 21.0 dB on the first audiometric test and 24.0 dB on the second test. A t-test

for two matched samples was used to see if the changes in the hearing levels from

the first hearing test to the second hearing test were statistically significant. This

analysis found significant changes for both the low-frequency average (t = -3.896,

p = 0.0003) and for the 4000 Hz audiometric test frequency (t = 2.965,

p = 0.0045). A third statistical analysis looked at each individual fire fighter's

hearing change on the two tests at the low-frequency average and compared it to

the amount of change for the high frequency, thus making each fire fighter his

own control in the analysis. This latter difference was also found to be

statistically significant (t = 5.217, p = 0.0001).
Page 15 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

VII. DISCUSSION

The full-shift dosimeter survey of the HFD revealed that noise exposures were

consistently less than 100% of the OSHA permissible limit. There was only one fire

fighter assigned to Company #2 who had a dose greater than 100% for his 24-hour

shift. Company #2 was also the only fire station surveyed that had a median dose

greater than 50%, the NIOSH REL, for both days. The other nine engine, truck, and

EMS companies and squads had noise dose values of less than 50%. Similar results

have been found in other fire departments that have conducted noise dosimeter

surveys.10-12

The rank ordering of engine company noise doses has the two Pirsch diesel-powered

pumpers at the high end of the list. The spectral data from these vehicles also reveals

very high sound energy at the 125 Hz third-octave band that comes from the engines. 

Indeed, the noise from the Pirsch diesel engine was so intense that there were several

instances where the NIOSH investigator was unable to hear the siren while riding in

the jumpseat. The next highest noise doses were seen on fire fighters assigned to the

Ford E-One pumper, a result of the electronic siren speakers being mounted in a light

bar on the roof of the vehicle. Siren noise could easily enter the cab and jumpseat

because of this configuration. Because of these potential high exposures from the

department's vehicles, the HFD began to issue ear muffs to fire fighters to wear

whenever they rode the vehicles. This was done shortly before the NIOSH evaluation.

The audiometric data obtained during the NIOSH survey represent nearly 90% of the

entire department. Additionally, over half of this same group had a previous hearing

test that could be compared directly to the test performed as part of the NIOSH HHE. 

The NIOSH data seem to indicate that the fire fighters have been exposed to excessive

noise levels during their lifetime. The data are characterized by a progressive loss of

hearing at 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz, as the time in service as a fire fighter increases. 

The statistical comparisons of the earlier hearing tests with the NIOSH data further

indicate that this group of individuals has continued to lose hearing over the six-year

period between the two tests. The finding that the group of 55 fire fighters had

significant apparent improvement of low frequency hearing levels, which is most likely

the result of learning to take this type of test and not a real improvement in hearing,

while showing significant hearing loss at the noise sensitive 4000 Hz test frequency is

strong evidence of an occupational noise loss. The mean differences between the

hearing tests for the group are not great, being in the range of 3-5 dB. If one were to

report such changes for an individual fire fighter, this difference would not cause

alarm. However, the finding of significant losses for such a large percentage of the

HFD is important. If this relationship of 5 dB of hearing loss for every six years of

service were to continue, then a linear interpolation of the data would predict a 25 dB
Page 16 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

work-related hearing loss after a thirty-year career. Similar associations between

hearing loss and time spent on the job as a fire fighter have been previously reported.10-

13

VIII. CONCLUSION

The hearing data for approximately 90% of the department show a hearing pattern that

is consistent with excessive exposures to noise. The additional finding of continued,

significant hearing losses for high-frequency sounds over a relatively short six-year

span for a large group of the fire fighters also adds evidence to this conclusion. The

sound energy emitted by the vehicles was measured at levels high enough to be

damaging to hearing. The dosimeter results revealed that the two companies with the

loudest vehicles did have the potential to exceed existing evaluation criteria for noise,

with the OSHA PEL being exceeded in one 24-hour period and the NIOSH REL

equaled or exceeded in four instances. Thus, the environmental data, in conjunction

with the audiometric data, suggest an occupational health hazard to the hearing of the

HFD personnel.

IX. RECOMMENDATIONS

The results of the health hazard evaluation at the HFD reveal a risk for occupational

hearing losses to fire fighters in the department. Although sensori-neural hearing loss

is generally irreversible, additional loss of hearing from exposure to excessive noise

can be prevented. The following recommendations are offered to help reduce the

amount of noise to which the fire fighters are exposed and to set up surveillance

programs to track the hearing ability of current and future fire fighters in order to

implement changes to reduce the hearing losses associated with their jobs.

1. The HFD should implement a complete hearing conservation program for their

department. The HFD has started some portion of a hearing conservation program

with the issuance of ear muffs and the examination of fire fighters' hearing on one

earlier occasion. However, a written program should be instituted with all aspects

of it attended to on a periodic basis. At a minimum, the program should follow all

of the requirements of the OSHA hearing conservation amendment, including

noise monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection, training, and

recordkeeping.3

 Additional guidelines for an effective hearing conservation

program are contained in a NIOSH technical report.14

2. Some of the highest noise exposures experienced by the HFD fire fighters were

observed during the use of their vehicles. The continued use of hearing protection
Page 17 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

devices (HPDs) during this activity will greatly reduce fire fighters' noise

exposures. A large number of alternative HPDs are available on the market. Ear

plugs, as well as ear muffs, have been successfully used in fire departments. 

However, because of the time constraints associated with an emergency response

run, it is more practical to use ear muffs because of their relative ease in fitting in

a short time period. Communication systems with noise-blanking microphones

and speakers placed in ear muffs have been developed to connect with fire

department radio systems. The NIOSH investigator has seen these in use in

several fire departments, including Sacramento, California, and Phoenix, Arizona,

as well as in air ambulance services. Recently, an active noise-controlling ear

muff that creates a destructive noise to reduce the wearer's exposure has been

introduced in the U.S. and marketed as a way to lower noise in emergency

medical service vehicles. This latter device is relatively new and expensive.

3. The audiometric data from the hearing conservation program should be analyzed

by methods proposed by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

working group concerned with audiometric database analyses.15 The analysis

techniques have been evaluated by hearing conservation investigators who have

reported success in their use.16-19 The techniques allow a hearing conservationist

to identify groups of employees that may need further help in preventing hearing

losses through the analysis of group audiometric data, rather than each individual's

hearing tests, which are not as sensitive an indicator of a hearing conservation

program problem. Small changes over a short period of time can be investigated

in order to ascertain, for example, if different kinds of hearing protection are

appropriate or if fire fighters assigned to a particular fire vehicle or fire station are

exhibiting hearing losses that are changing more rapidly than other members of

the department. The use of these techniques may allow for intervention into the

problem quicker than if individual hearing tests are evaluated solely in a routine

doctor/patient relationship and consultation.

4. The mechanical siren in use by the HFD generates the warning signal by rapidly

turning a wheel inside of the siren's housing. The circular housing has several

slots cut in the perimeter to allow the warning sound to escape. When this type of

siren is placed on the left fender or left side of the front bumper of the fire vehicle,

much of the sound energy is directed back to the driver's side window. A recently

reported study by the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group describes an engineering

control that incorporated a shroud installed on the siren to redirect the sound in a

forward direction. The siren was also moved to the center of the front bumper. 

The report states that a 70% reduction in the sound pressure levels occurred as a

result of the change.20 The HFD should consider applying this type of engineering

control to their mechanical sirens. 
Page 18 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

5. The spectral data for the Ford E-One pumper revealed high mid-frequency noise

levels from the roof-mounted light bar and siren speaker. Alternate locations for

the speakers on this vehicle, in the front grille or under the front bumper, should

be investigated by the vehicle maintenance department. Locating the speakers

under the front bumper has been observed by NIOSH investigators in Anaheim,

California and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the practice is used with some

success.

6. Engine noise was a major source of exposure to the fire fighters during emergency

response runs. It was especially evident in vehicles that were configured with the

engine located behind the cab and between the jumpseat riding positions. The use

of a metalicized blanket over the engine cowling has been observed by the NIOSH

investigator at the Anaheim, California Fire Department to reduce the noise that is

directed to fire fighters riding in the jumpseats. It also helps to reduce the heat

generated by the engine, which was mentioned as a concern by fire fighters,

during periods of hot weather. This kind of engineering control needs to be

investigated with the manufacturers of the vehicles to make sure that heat build-up

in the engine does not become a problem. Additional venting of the air around the

engine, which will also redirect the noise output, can be pursued by the vehicle

maintenance department.

7. The use of noise absorption materials on hard surfaces of the fire vehicles will

reduce reverberant noise exposures to the personnel on the vehicles. The older

vehicles still used by the HFD can have this kind of material added to the hard

surfaces. Newer vehicles may already use this kind of noise control. In either

case, a maintenance program that monitors the integrity of the sound absorption

materials needs to be implemented. These materials will deteriorate over time in

the harsh environments that the fire vehicles encounter. They need to be replaced

when they become torn or brittle.

8. The engineering controls which have been contemplated by the HFD for the

diesel-powered Pirsch vehicles should be pursued. Particular attention should be

made to the installation of mufflers which are maximally effective in the 125 Hz

range. The vehicle manufacturer or muffler manufacturers should be consulted in

this endeavor. The technology of active noise control muffler systems is now

becoming available in the marketplace and should be investigated by the

department's maintenance personnel.

9. Noise controls that the vehicle manufacturer provides should be included in future

vehicle purchases. The potential for the success of this recommendation is seen in

the specifications for noise reduction that were included in the purchase of Squad
Page 19 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

#1. The acoustical undercoating, grille-mounted siren speakers, and other noise

reduction requirements written into the specifications for the EMS squad resulted

in a quieter vehicle. Several makers of pumpers and trucks also advertise noise

control as one of their features. Maximum noise levels for specific operations

should be spelled out in the performance specifications for the purchase of all new

vehicles and equipment. The NFPA guidelines for maximum noise levels are

appropriate specifications to which the department can refer manufacturers.21
Page 20 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

X. REFERENCES

1. Ward WD [1986]. Anatomy & physiology of the ear: normal and damaged

hearing. Chapter 5. In: Berger EH, Ward WD, Morrill JC, Royster LH, eds. 

Noise & hearing conservation manual. 4th ed. Akron, OH: American

Industrial Hygiene Association, pp 177-195.

2. Ward WD, Fleer RE, Glorig A [1961]. Characteristics of hearing loss

produced by gunfire and by steady noise. Journal of Auditory Research 1:325-

356.

3. Code of Federal Regulations [1992]. OSHA. 29 CFR 1910.95. 

Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Federal Register.

4. NIOSH [1972]. Criteria for a recommended standard: occupational exposure

to noise. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,

Health Services and Mental Health Administration, National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health, DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 73-11001.

5. ACGIH [1994]. 1994-1995 threshold limit values for chemical substances and

physical agents and biological exposure indices. Cincinnati, OH: American

Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

6. ANSI [1970]. Specifications for audiometers (S3.6). New York, New York: 

American National Standards Institute, Inc.

7. AAO - HNS [May, 1983]. Otological referral criteria for occupational hearing

conservation programs. Washington, D.C.: American Academy of

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Board of Directors.

8. Kryter KD [1970]. The effects of noise on man. New York, New York: 

Academic Press.

9. Eagles EL, Hardy WG, Catlin FI [1968]. Human communication: The public

health aspects of hearing, language, and speech disorders (NINDB Monograph

#7). Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. (USPHS publication no.

1745).

10. Tubbs RL, Flesch JP [1982]. Health hazard evaluation: Newburgh Fire

Department. HHE Report No. 8l-059-1045. National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Page 21 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

11. Tubbs RL [1990]. Health hazard evaluation: Memphis Fire Department,

Memphis, Tennessee. HETA Report No. 86-138-2017. National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio.

12. Tubbs RL [1994]. Health hazard evaluation: Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. HETA Report No. 88-0290-2460. National Institute

for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio.

13. Tubbs RL, Melius J, Anderson KE [1988]. Health hazard evaluation:

International Association of Fire Fighters, Cincinnati, Ohio. HETA Report No.

84-454-1890. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,

Cincinnati, Ohio.

14. NIOSH [1990]. A practical guide to effective hearing conservation programs

in the workplace. Cincinnati, Ohio: National Institute for Occupational Safety

and Health. (DHHS (NIOSH) publication no. 90-120).

15. ANSI [1991]. Draft American National Standard. Evaluating the effectiveness

of hearing conservation programs (S12.13-1991). New York, New York: 

American National Standards Institute, Inc.

16. Melnick W [1984]. Evaluation of industrial hearing conservation programs: A

review and analysis. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal 

45:459-467.

17. Royster JD, Royster LH [1986]. Audiometric data base analysis. Chapter 9. 

In: Berger EH, Ward WD, Morrill JC, Royster LH, eds. Noise & hearing

conservation manual. 4th ed. Akron, OH: American Industrial Hygiene

Association, pp 293-317.

18. Royster JD, Royster LH [1990]. Hearing conservation programs: Practical

guidelines for success. Boca Raton, FL: Lewis Publishers, Inc.

19. Royster LH, Royster JD [1988]. Getting started in audiometric data base

analysis. Seminars in Hearing 9:325-337.

20. Heany M [1994]. Effect of sound focusing device on reducing fire engine siren

noise. Unpublished poster presented at 1994 Industrial Hygiene Conference

and Exposition, Anaheim, CA, May 23, 1994.
Page 22 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

21. NFPA [1987]. Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health

Program (NFPA 1500). Quincy, Massachusetts: National Fire Protection

Association.

XI. INVESTIGATORS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Investigator: Randy L. Tubbs, Ph.D.

Psychoacoustician

Industrial Hygiene Section

Hazard Evaluations and Technical

 Assistance Branch

Field Support:

 Industrial Hygiene: Michael E. Barsan

Industrial Hygienist

Stephen D. Douglas

Psychologist

Gregory M. Kinnes, CIH

Industrial Hygienist

 Audiometry: Lynette K. Hartle

Audiometric Technician

Report Typed By: Kate L. Marlow

Office Automation Assistant

Industrial Hygiene Section

Originating Office: Hazard Evaluations and Technical

 Assistance Branch

Division of Surveillance, Hazard

 Evaluations, and Field Studies
Page 23 - Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 89-0026

XII. DISTRIBUTION AND AVAILABILITY

Copies of this report may be freely reproduced and are not copyrighted. Single copies

of this report will be available for a period of 90 days from the date of this report from

the NIOSH Publications Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. To

expedite your request, include a self-addressed mailing label or envelope along with

your written request. After this time, copies may be purchased from the National

Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia

22161. Information regarding the NTIS stock number may be obtained from the

NIOSH Publications Office in Cincinnati. 

Copies of this report have been sent to:

1. Fire Chief, Hamilton Fire Department

2. Local #20, International Association of Fire Fighters

3. City Manager, Hamilton, Ohio

4. Department of Health & Safety, International

 Association of Fire Fighters

5. OSHA, Region V

For the purpose of informing affected employees, copies of this report shall be

posted by the employer in a prominent place accessible to the employees for a

period of 30 calendar days. 
24

Table 1

Vehicle Descriptions

Hamilton Fire Department

Hamilton, Ohio

HETA 89-026

COMPANY MAKE YEAR ENGINE WARNING DEVICES

 

Engine #1 Sutphen Pumper 1986 Diesel Federal Signal Q:

 Center above bumper

Federal Signal PA200:

 (not used)

Roof Air Horn

Engine #2 Pirsch Pumper 1975 Diesel Federal Signal Q:

 Center above bumper

Dual Roof Air Horns

Engine #4 Pirsch Pumper 1966 Gasoline Federal Signal Q:

 Left side bumper

Roof Air Horn

Engine #5 Pirsch Pumper 1976 Diesel Federal Signal Q:

 Center above bumper

Roof Air Horn

Engine #6 E-One Pumper 1981 Diesel Federal Signal Q:

 (not used)

Federal Signal PA 200:

 Roof light bar speakers

Dual Roof Air Horns

Engine #7 Pirsch Pumper 1970 Gasoline Federal Signal Q:

 Left side bumper

Roof Air Horn

Truck #9 Pirsch Ladder 1974 Diesel Federal Signal Q:

 Center above bumper

Dual Roof Air Horns

Truck #10 Seagrave Aerial 1986 Diesel Federal Signal Q:

 Center above bumper

Federal Signal PA200:

 Roof light bar speakers

Dual Roof Air Horns

Squad #1 Ford 1988 Diesel Federal Signal PA200:

 Recessed grille speakers

Squad #2 Ford 1985 Gasoline Federal Signal PA 170:

 Roof light bar speakers
25

TABLE 2 (Page 1 of 2)

 Number of Responses, Maximum Levels, and Median Noise Doses

for the Surveyed Vehicles

Hamilton Fire Department

Hamilton, Ohio

HETA 89-0026

June, 1990

Company No. Date Responses Maximum 24-HOUR DOSE

 (Range)

#1 6/19/90 3 (1) 99 18.7 %

#1 6/20/90 2 (1) 91 11.8 %

 (10.6 - 13.0 %)

#2 6/25/90 5 (2) 110 52.2 %

#2 6/26/90 13 (10) 113 64.4 %

(55.6 - 118.4 %)

#4 6/19/90 1 (0) 98 23.2 %

 (21.7 - 24.5 %)

#4 6/20/90 5 (3) 103 22.8 %

 (16.8 - 22.9 %)

#5 6/25/90 6 (3) 107 30.4 %

 (26.4 - 50.2 %)

#5 6/26/90 7 (7) 105 40.9 %

 (37.7 - 43.6 %)

#6 6/28/90 5 (2) 111 36.8 %

 (30.9 - 40.5 %)

#6 6/29/90 6 (1) 98 38.4 %

 (36.3 - 40.4 %)

Note: Responses represents the number of occurrences where the vehicle left the station. Those which

were emergency responses are enclosed in parentheses.

Maximum is the highest one minute average recorded for any one fire fighter assigned to a

 vehicle.

Dose is the percentage of a daily allowable noise exposure according to OSHA regulation. A

dose of 100 % is the maximum allowed for a day. The range of Dose values is given in

parentheses when more than one full-shift dosimeter sample was obtained. 
26

TABLE 2 (Page 2 of 2)

 Number of Responses, Maximum Levels, and Median Noise Doses

for the Surveyed Vehicles

Hamilton Fire Department

Hamilton, Ohio

HETA 89-0026

June, 1990

Company No. Date Responses Maximum 24-HOUR DOSE

 (Range)

#7 6/28/90 1 (0) 101 14.4 %

 (13.7 - 19.6 %)

#7 6/29/90 4 (3) 109 31.4 %

 (31.3 - 38.7 %)

#9 6/28/90 1 (0) 89 23.0 %

#9 6/29/90 2 (1) 110 38.8 %

#10 6/26/90 5 (4) 103 49.3 %

Squad #1 6/25/90 11 (10) 91 23.9 %

 (21.8 - 26.0 %)

Squad #1 6/26/90 9 (9) 98 32.2 %

 (26.0 - 38.3 %)

Squad #2 6/19/90 8 (8) 98 35.8 %

 (24.5 - 42.2 %)

Squad #2 6/20/90 4 (4) 99 21.3 %

Note: Responses represents the number of occurrences where the vehicle left the station. Those which

were emergency responses are enclosed in parentheses.

Maximum is the highest one minute average recorded for any one fire fighter assigned to a

 vehicle.

Dose is the percentage of a daily allowable noise exposure according to OSHA regulation. A

dose of 100 % is the maximum allowed for a day. The range of Dose values is given in

parentheses when more than one full-shift dosimeter sample was obtained. 













A-1

APPENDIX 1

Voluntary Consent Form and Job History Questionnaire
A-2

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN A MEDICAL STUDY

PROJECT TITLE:

HETA #:

PURPOSE:

I, , agree to participate in this study. 

 (Please Print)

The procedures have been discussed with me, and I have been given a copy of this consent form. I understand that:

1. I will be asked questions about work history, noisy activities, and medical symptoms. I will also be given a

hearing test which checks my ability to hear different sounding tones.

2. In the unlikely event of physical injury resulting from participation in this study, NIOSH will only be able to

provide emergency treatment. Any compensation for medical care or lost wages will have to be obtained

under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 USC 1346 (b)).

3. Except as stated under provisions of the Privacy Act (PL 93-579), no information that I furnish for this

study can be disclosed in a manner which will identify me unless I give written permission.

4. My participation is voluntary, and I may withdraw from the study at any time without prejudice to myself.

5. Any questions I have regarding this study should be directed to the project officer, Dr. Randy L. Tubbs,

Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, Mail Stop R-11, 4676 Columbia Parkway,

Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, telephone (513) 841-4374.

PARTICIPANT'S SIGNATURE DATE 

MAILING ADDRESS: 

(Please Print)

 

 

PROJECT OFFICER'S SIGNATURE DATE 
A-3

HAMILTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

HETA 89-0026

FIRE FIGHTER'S SERVICE QUESTIONNAIRE

(leave blank) ID# 

1. NAME: 

2. ADDRESS: 

 (Street)

 

(City) (State) (Zip) 

3. AGE: DATE OF BIRTH: 

 (Years) (Mon) (Day) (Yr)

4. SEX: 

5. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A FIRE FIGHTER?: 

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT

6. STATION ASSIGNED: 7. HOW LONG: 

8. JOB CLASSIFICATION: 

OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSIGNMENTS (HFD)

9. STATION ASSIGNED: 10. HOW LONG: 

11. JOB CLASSIFICATION: 

12. STATION ASSIGNED: 13. HOW LONG: 

14. JOB CLASSIFICATION: 

15. STATION ASSIGNED: 16. HOW LONG: 

17. JOB CLASSIFICATION: 

 Note: If you have had additional assignments, please list on back of this page.
A-4

18. COMPANY NAME: 19. HOW LONG: 

20. JOB CLASSIFICATION: 

21. WHEN DID YOU BEGIN THIS OCCUPATION: 

22. HOURS PER (WEEK) (MONTH) (YEAR): 

23. COMPANY NAME: 24. HOW LONG: 

25. JOB CLASSIFICATION: 

26. WHEN DID YOU BEGIN THIS OCCUPATION: 

27. HOURS PER (WEEK) (MONTH) (YEAR): 

 Note: If you have had additional jobs, please list on back of this page.

MILITARY EXPERIENCE

28. YEARS AND MONTHS OF ACTIVE DUTY: 

(Years) (Months)

29. BRANCH OF SERVICE: 30. TIME IN COMBAT: 

31. MILITARY JOBS, ASSIGNMENTS, OR DUTIES:

A. 

B. 

C. 

32. DID YOU FIRE WEAPONS? 

(YES) (NO)

33. DID YOU FIRE WEAPONS FOR MORE THAN 100 DAYS? (YES) 

(NO)
A-5

HOBBIES AND ACTIVITIES

34. DO YOU ENGAGE IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING?

Times per...

Activity Yes No day week month year

A. Hunting 

B. Shooting 

C. Motorcycle 

D. Drag Race 

E. Chain Saw 

F. Farm Tractor 

G. Woodworking 

H. Loud Music 

I. Other: 

MEDICAL HISTORY

35. HAVE YOU EVER HAD TROUBLE WITH YOUR EARS? 

(Yes) (No)

IF YES, DESCRIBE:

 

 

36. HAVE YOU BEEN SEEN BY A PHYSICIAN ABOUT YOUR EARS?

 

(Yes) (No)

37. HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED ANY CHANGES IN YOUR HEARING?

 

(Yes) (No)

38. HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: HEARING

YES NO CHANGE?

a. Mumps 

b. Measles 

c. Allergies 

d. High Blood Pressure 

e. Mycin Drugs (antibiotics) 

f. Quinine 

g. Severe Blow to Head 

h. Tinnitus ("ringing in ears") 

i. Excessive Ear Wax Buildup