USE OF HEARING PROTECTION AND PERCEPTIONS OF NOISE EXPOSURE AND HEARING-LOSS AMONG CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

The purpose of this study was to describe construction workers' use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) and determine their perceptions of noise exposure and hearing loss. Operating engineers, carpenters, and plumbers/pipe fitters in the Midwest (n=400) completed a written quest ionnaire regarding their use of HPDs and their perceptions of noise ex posure and hearing loss. Subjects were recruited through their trade u nion groups. Mean reported use of HPDs and mean perceived noise exposu re were compared across trade groups. Bivariate and multivariate analy sis techniques were used to assess relationships between use of HPDs a nd trade category, education, age, years of employment, noise exposure , and hearing loss. Bivariate analyses identified significant differen ces in mean use of HPDs by age, years of employment, and trade group. Multivariate logistic regression assessing the independent effects of these variables found significant differences only by trade group. Res ults indicate a need for significant improvement in all three trade gr oups' use of HPDs, and suggest a need to consider use and exposure lev els, demographics, and trade group membership in designing hearing con servation programs.