Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Project: A Needs Assessment to Prevent Occupational Noise-induced Hearing Loss at Mines in the U.S.
Keywords: Hearing loss Miners Noise
Principal Investigator
Yousef Elmashae -  Request informationStart Date
10/1/2022Objective
Exposure to high noise levels can increase physical and psychological stress levels, reduce productivity, and lead to inner ear hair cell neurodegeneration, resulting in permanent hearing loss. Noise exposure assessment and monitoring techniques have shown that the mining industry has been consistently plagued by noise overexposure. Numerous studies and surveillance initiatives indicate that mineworkers are more susceptible to noise overexposure and hearing loss than workers in other heavy industries. Due to continued noise overexposure and subsequent occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) among miners, it is critical to conduct an industry assessment to identify the needs and potential solutions for preventing ONIHL among miners in the United States.Topic Area
Hearing Loss Prevention Overview
Research Summary

Approach
This pilot project research involves identifying what the mining industry needs to reduce noise exposure and prevent ONIHL, which could include information on hearing protection beliefs and behaviors among workers, noise assessment needs, viable noise control solutions, issues related to hearing conservation programs, and challenges and expectations that have not been identified in mining but should be considered. Various formats will be used to collect information, including one-on-one interviews and questionnaires.
In related work, NIOSH is developing the NIOSH Noise Mapper, a mobile device application that can be used to create noise contour maps. Project researchers will evaluate whether the NIOSH Noise Mapper app can be used to accurately characterize the spatial distribution of sound levels at mining facilities. Point-of-view (POV) video will be used to define the relationship between personal noise exposure and workplace noise assessments and the potential for noise exposure assessment improvement. The POV video will be collected using the NIOSH-developed Helmet-CAM, a video-based exposure assessment tool designed specifically for the mining industry. The NIOSH-developed EVADE software will be used to combine the video footage with the dosimetry data to generate visual images corresponding to the high noise exposure areas.
Milestones and Accomplishments
Description
Audience
YearDevelop NIOSH Noise Mapper and complete an internal and external technical review
academicians, safety and health professionals, workers, and employers
2023Planned Impacts and Outcomes
Researchers will use the collected data to identify the mining industry’s needs for addressing occupational noise-induced hearing loss among miners in the United States. Analysis of the combined video footage and dosimetry data will help researchers to assess a relationship between personal noise exposure and workplace noise assessments and identify the source or sources of noise exposure. Based on the study results, project researchers will develop guidelines and recommendations to prevent ONIHL and inform future research. The results will also be used to help evaluate the NIOSH Noise Mapper's accuracy and reliability, and the feedback collected will help to refine and improve the App.
Outputs
NIOSH anticipates two major outputs from this pilot project research: (1) a journal article detailing the results of the needs assessment of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among mining industry employees in the United States, and (2) the NIOSH Noise Mapper application being used on a smartphone to identify the source of noise exposure in the mining industry.
Supporting Visual
Screenshots from the NIOSH Noise Mapper Application, which can be used to provide visual images of the spatial distribution of sound levels within facilities.
Screenshots from the NIOSH Noise Mapper Application, which can be used to provide visual images of the spatial distribution of sound levels within facilities. Facility management can incorporate these maps as supplemental information into hearing conservation programs. The App can help in identifying noise hazards and relevant noise-generating machinery and/or operations in order to prioritize and target the most effective interventions.




See Also
Development and Evaluation of a Urethane Jacketed Tail Roller for Continuous Mining Machines
Noise and Hearing Protection: Development of Two Training Exercises for Drillers
Noise Exposure in Longwall Mining and Engineering Controls Research
Noise Source Identification on a Continuous Mining Machine
Noise Source Identification on a Horizontal Vibrating Screen
Snapshot of Noise and Worker Exposures in Sand and Gravel Operations
A Technique for Estimating the Sound Power Level Radiated by Pneumatic Rock Drills and the Evaluation of a CSIR Prototype Rock Drill with Engineering Noise Controls
Water Well Safety Bits: Health And Safety Information For The Water Well Industry
What Does a Hearing Loss Sound Like?
Working in Noise with a Hearing Loss: Perceptions from Workers, Supervisors, and Hearing Conservation Program Managers
Page last reviewed: April 25, 2023
Page last updated: December 21, 2022
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information Hearing Loss Prevention Overview
 NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue