New advances in hearing protector t

New advances in hearing protector technology include a device that allows for the collection of occupational noise exposure data under the hearing protector on a continuous basis (Michael et al, 2011). A study of noise-exposed workers using such devices on a mandatory basis reported that such use may reduce their risk of occupational hearing loss compared to matched controls (Rabinowitz et al, 2011). In that study it was noted that some of the beneficial effect could have resulted from the ongoing involvement of company personnel in overseeing the noise exposures of the individuals using the monitoring devices, or other contemporaneous changes. It was also pointed out that further studies were needed to determine whether the monitoring devices could have a beneficial impact on noise exposure and hearing loss risk when used in a voluntary program, as such trials might be necessary to validate the efficacy of these devices.