Dr. McCullagh’s Research on Hearing Loss, in “Modern Materials Handling” Magazine
The majority of factory workers have suffered damaged to their hearing, but many don’t even recognize it.
“Even workers who are served by a workplace hearing conservation program and receive annual hearing testing may be unaware of their actual hearing ability,” Marjorie C. McCullagh, PhD, RN, APHN-BC, COHN-S, explained in the December 2012 issue of Modern Materials Handling. “Most of the damage happens in the first 10 years of exposure. And, often people don’t realize that it’s happening until they have suffered a fair amount of damage.”
Dr. McCullagh, an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, focuses much of her research on keeping hearing loss from happening in the first place. She emphasizes the importance of prevention and protection in workplaces. She encourages companies to encourage employees to be aware of the noise level around them and offer easily accessible hearing protection to all workers.
Dr. McCullagh says protecting your hearing can also decrease the physiological impacts of noise. “Your whole body responds to noise; not just your ears. Blood pressure, cortisone, stress levels and risks for cardiovascular events all go up,” she explains. “Noise-exposed workers are also more prone to headaches, fatigue and risk of injury. Using hearing protection reduces these risks.”
Read the full article.
