NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Research

The Hearing Loss Prevention program conducts laboratory and field research to evaluate and control hearing loss and occupational noise exposure in mining.

Hearing loss is the most prevalent occupational illness for miners, but it is also highly preventable. Workers, their families, managers, equipment designers, and health professionals can all make a big difference in reducing exposures to hazardous noise. Our research is yielding new and effective ways to prevent hearing loss through a combination of engineering, training, and behavioral change.