We drive in big red trucks and make lots of noise: Noise exposure and hearing protection in firemen

Over one million American fire fighters (FFs) are intermittently exposed to various hazardous agents including loud noise. Despite FFs' risks of noise exposure and hearing loss, little is done to understand FFs' hearing protection behavior. The aims of the study were: (1) to identify common noise sources of firefighting service and document noise exposure levels; and (2) to collect information on FFs' perceptions and opinions on noise-induced hearing loss and hearing protection. Two focus groups were conducted in Southeast Michigan. The majority of participants were men (92%) and White (88%) with mean age and years in fire fighting service of 37 years and10 years, respectively. The focus groups identified building ventilation, fire suppression and extraction job tasks as noisy. Sources of noise for the identified job tasks include using circular saws, chain saws, diesel generators, truck sirens, and gas powered engines. Research team including a few volunteer FFs went out to the field and obtained sound level data for these job activities. FFs' noise exposure tends to be intermittent and varying. Task-Based Exposure Assessment Modeling (T-BEAM) was used to estimate FF noise exposure potentials. Exposure durations were based on FF's average response times. Modeling showed that FFs have a risk potential of 85 dBA time-weighted average on a given day. FFs accepted hearing loss as unavoidable health consequence of their job. FFs believed in the importance of hearing protection but showed poor compliance with wearing it, and had a lack of understanding for the effect of noise exposure on hearing.