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Hearing Loss Prevention Training Kitgpcah.org

Hearing Loss Prevention Training KitIntroduction and Background for TrainerExample Scripts- Scenario 1: Hearing loss prevention table display- Scenario 2: Hearing loss prevention for elementary-aged youth- Scenario 3: Hearing loss prevention curriculum for middle school youth- Scenario 4: Hearing loss simulatorKit Contents and Additional Materials NeededFrequently Asked Questions with AnswersPresentation Checklist and Order Formgpcah.org1

IntroductionThe Hearing Loss Prevention outreach kit was developed to help you present information that will guidefarmers and youth on:1) Why farmers should be concerned about noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL),2) Which activities/environments involve hazardous noise exposures, and3) What farmers can do to reduce noise exposure on the farm and/or prevent NIHL.This kit was developed using findings from decades of research (see references), outreach materialscreated by the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health (GPCAH) staff, and items created by otherorganizations dedicated to hearing loss prevention.The following “train-the-trainer” introduction will help presenters understand what farmers can do todecrease their chances of experiencing noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.Background Information for TrainerNoise-induced hearing loss results from damage to hair cells (cilia) in the inner ear. This type of hearingloss is usually caused by exposure to excessively loud sounds and cannot be medically or surgicallycorrected. Noise-induced hearing loss usually results from repeated exposure to loud sounds over a longperiod of time, but damage can also happen after a one-time exposure to a very loud sound (likefireworks or a gunshot).A substantial proportion of Americans working in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting are estimatedto have hearing loss, although the reports of the actual prevalence ranges from 17% to 72% (Thelin et al.1983, Beckett et al. 2000). Long-term exposures to loud sounds throughout one’s working life can causenot only hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears that does not go away), but may also lead to highblood pressure, heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, reduced cognitive abilities, personal injury, anxiety,stress, depression, learning difficulties, and sleep disorders (Basner et al. 2014, Münzel et al. 2014).Strategies to reduce the risk of developing hearing loss from workplace noise include reducing how longsomeone works in loud environments, reducing sound levels by maintaining equipment or enclosingcritical noise sources, and, most commonly, wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs). In the Midwest,72% of farm workers never or rarely use hearing protection (Carpenter et al. 2002). They use HPDs inhigh-noise environments only 29% of the time (McCullagh et al. 2016). Only 29% of young farm workersuse hearing protection, even while 61% report ringing in the ears (Reed et al. 2006).Knowing where sounds are loud and what to do to protect your hearing while engaging in tasks with loudexposures are both necessary to identify where preventive methods might work. Many motivatedfarmers receive classroom training on hearing protection (Kearney et al. 2015), but such classes have noteffectively changed behavior (DeRoo and Rautiainen 2000). Consequently, knowledge gaps on hazardrecognition and appropriate response persist (Cramer et al. 2016). The availability of HPDs close to highnoise areas has been associated with increased HPD use among farm workers (McCullagh et al. 2016);therefore, ensuring that farmers know what areas are “loud” and how to select and use hearingprotection correctly is still necessary to help farmers make the healthy choice.gpcah.org2

Areas/activities that are associated with high noise levels include: Livestock buildings (especially pigs)MowersATVsPressure washersLeaf blowersTractors/other large equipment Power tools/shopGrain dryersConcertsFireworksGunshotsStock car races/tractor pullsHearing Protection Devices (HPDs) protect your ears by reducing the force of the sound waves reaching the innerear. The best HPD for you is one that fits well and that you will consistently wear in high-noise environments.There are 3 main types of HPD: Formable ear plugs – made of soft foam that must be rolled down to be inserted, then expands toblock the ear canal Push-in ear plugs EarmuffsIn 2015, GPCAH staff surveyed 699 farmers from Midwestern states about their HPD use. We found that 52% ofMidwestern farmers surveyed reported symptoms of noise induced hearing loss, and 33% reported regularlyexperiencing tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Barriers to HPD use included inconvenience, not having them whenneeded, uncertainty about when or how to use them, discomfort when wearing, short-duration task, andconcerns about interference with useful sound. Facilitators for use included very loud noise or pain experienced,HPD clearly visible when going out for the day, recognizing that a task required hearing protection, remindersfrom a coworker or family member, accessible when needed, required by employers, and a general increasedawareness about hearing loss and how to prevent it.Training ScenariosWe have developed four training scenarios on the topic of hearing loss prevention. The objective ofeach scenario is to inform farmers and their families about how to protect their hearing while workingon the farm. For each scenario, we have listed the intended audience and the materials needed. Linksare provided in the materials list when available. Advice on how to engage your audience, topics fordiscussion, and other pertinent details follow.Scenario 1: Hearing Loss Prevention Table DisplayIntended audience: Farmers, farm family membersMaterials/activities used (links provided in kit contents below): 3-panel displayHearing loss prevention handouts3M Roll Model device with practice plugsEar plugs to hand outEngagement: The center panel of this display is usually what draws farmers to engage – they see the damagedcorn field and come to look closer at it.gpcah.org3

Ask: Do you know anyone with hearing loss?Follow-up: Have you ever had ringing in your ears? Have things sounded muffled after you’ve beenaround loud noise for a while?Discussion: Depending on their answers and interest, you can discuss the topics below. Before the personleaves, give them a pair ear plugs (if you have multiple styles, let them choose which type to take with them) How hearing loss affects daily life (left panel)o difficulty hearing when there is background noiseo need to increase volume on radio or television louder than otherso lose the ability to hear certain sounds in speecho constant ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Areas/activities on the farm that are high-noise and require hearing protection (right panel)o ATVso Mowerso Livestocko Large farm equipmento Machinery, power toolso Leaf blowers, chainsawso Gunshots Prevention:o Limit time in loud environments when you cano Wear hearing protection when you must be in loud environments for longer than is safeo How to choose hearing protection Discuss types of HPD Store preferred HPD in areas of the farm where you will need it – or – store it in thevehicle you drive; the most important thing is to have it where you need it.o Emphasize that the best hearing protection is the one that fits you well and that you willwear consistently when neededCommented [PJJ1]: Sorry, my edits have messed up yourphoto placement. Example of a table display at the 2019 National FFA Conventiongpcah.org1

Scenario 2: Hearing Loss Prevention (HLP) for Elementary YouthIntended audience: Elementary-aged youth in classroom or at an Agricultural Safety Day eventTime required: 15-20 minutesCommented [PJJ2]: Overlapped text hereMaterials/activities used: Youth HLP presentation (with suggested script, if desired) Youth Hair cell model activity (uses 5-6 pipe cleaners per youth) Practice plugs 3M Roll Model device (optional) Youth HLP handout (optional) Ear plugs (one pair per youth) (optional) Youth HLP follow-up exercise worksheet (one per youth – optional) Youth HLP Bookmark (one per youth – optional)This is a short class with fun slides, a suggested script, embedded video, and activities to reinforce concepts.If take-home bags are provided to youth attending the event, good contributions include: Youth HLP handoutwith a pair of ear plugs the Youth HLP follow-up exercise and/or Youth HLP bookmark.Scenario 3: Script and Activities for Middle School YouthIntended audience: Middle school youth in the classroom, 4-H/FFA groupsTime required: 35-40 minutesMaterials/activities used:o Middle school HLP presentation (with suggested script, if desired)o Middle school HLP activity sheets and supplies for chosen activity(ies)o Cup & String Telephone – 2 cups, 10 ft string, scissors, pencilo Hair Cell Models – marshmallows, angel hair pasta (alternative: use Youth Hair cell model activityinstead, if clean-up is a concern – requires 5-6 pipe cleaners per student)o Sound Scavenger Hunt – personal electronic device, Decibel X app (free download), pencilThis is a short class with suggested script, embedded video, and 3 optional activities to reinforce concepts. Eachactivity has facilitator instructions followed by the student worksheet.Scenario 4: Hearing Loss SimulatorIntended audience: Adults and older youth, employeesMaterials/activities used: NIOSH HLSim hearing loss simulator (free to download - installed on eet1820.html Noise-cancelling headphones (optional – use if in area with a lot of background noise) Video containing background information and demo of the software (coming soon) HLSim Handout (Quick start guide) HLSim Activity sheet (optional) Sound files (farm related): ings/gpcah.org2

Young farmers have told us that experiencing what it would be like to live with noise-induced hearing loss maymotivate them to use hearing protection more often. NIOSH has created a hearing loss simulator (HLSim) thatallows them to do just that. The 10-minute video created by GPCAH will help you learn to use the key featuresof HLSim and provide background information and hearing loss prevention tips. You can also add any of thefarm-related sound files (linked above) to the simulator. Our quick reference handout explains how to do thistransfer.HLSim can be used on its own in employee training, and it also makes a great addition to a table display at anevent where you have space and electricity available.Kit Contents and Additional Materials NeededAll resources used in training scenarios (shown below) are found 2/topics/hearing-loss-prevention/.HandoutTwo-sided cards, 4x9”BookmarkTwo-sided bookmark, 2x6” (lamination recommended)gpcah.org3