Self-reported Noise Exposures Among Ohio Cash Grain Farmers

Abstract

As part of the NIOSH-funded Ohio Farm Family Health and Hazard Survey(OFFHHS), self-reported noise exposure data were collected from more than 1,700Principal Operators (POs) of cash grain farms. Information on exposure tooccupational and non-occupational noise sources was obtained by means of a statewidemixed-mode survey.With respect to occupational sources, nearly all survey respondentsreported a history of cabless tractor operation, approximately 80% had operated a chainsaw, and approximately 70% had operated a combine. About 1/3 respondents reportedcurrent employment in a noisy job in addition to farming, while nearly 20% reported ahistory of non-agricultural noisy employment. The most frequently reported nonoccupationalsources of noise exposure were hunting (51.5% of respondents),motorcycle riding (21.2%), and target shooting (20.5%). Self-reported equipmentspecificdata on total years of operation or use, days of operation or use per year, andmean hours of operation or use per day were used to estimate lifetime hours ofexposure to noisy activities/tasks. Of the more than 61 million cumulative lifetimehours of exposure reported by the 1,700+ respondents, more than half was accountedfor by operation of cabless tractors. In addition, 2/3 respondents reported they neverwear hearing protection when they operate or are around noisy farm equipment.Attempts to identify factors associated with use of hearing protection revealed thatalthough the prevalence of usage varied by age and education, use was poor across allsubgroups examined, suggesting that agricultural workers of all ages and levels ofeducation would benefit from interventions designed to reduce the incidence of noiseinducedhearing loss.