Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7841-6158

Date Available

4-30-2027

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

Graduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

College

Public Health

Department/School/Program

Public Health

Faculty

Dr. Steven Browning

Committee Member

Dr. Wayne Sanderson

Faculty

Dr. Anna Hoover

Faculty

Dr. Terry Bunn

Abstract

Despite safety measures that have been implemented to protect workers from Occupational Hearing Loss (OHL), the all-industry prevalence of OHL has yet to decline. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on OHL workers’ compensation First Report of Injury/Illness (FROI) data between 2005-2019 in Kentucky to uncover demographic, situational, and temporal trends of OHL FROI (n=1125). Most reports were found to be from older (45+) individuals, men, and included lost time. In line with previous literature, the rates of OHL FROI in KY were highest in the Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction industry (96.8 per 100,000 FTE, 95% CI: 86.6, 107.7) and the Transportation and Warehousing industry (13.5 per 100,000 FTE, 95% CI: 11.7, 15.5). Construction and Extraction Occupations had the most OHL FROI (n=328). Between the study period, a reporting peak was identified in 2014 with 143 FROI. This study provides a description of the OHL reporting population in Kentucky and identifies where further study is necessary but is subject to misclassification and reporting bias. Additionally, there is a need to assess OHL in high-risk industries and occupations that may not be a part of state workers’ compensation, like Agriculture and temporary/contractual workers. However, workers’ compensation has been found to underrepresent OHL incidence in all industries, meaning that better hearing safety practices need to be implemented.

Funding Information

This abstract was supported by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of cooperative agreement 5 U60OH008483 totaling $2,082,266 with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, NIOSH, CDC, HHS, or the U.S. government. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC) provided financial support for this research through the Central Appalachian Regional Education and Research Center at the University of Kentucky (Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers (T42): 5T42OH010278-12-07). The contents are those of the authors. They may not reflect the policies of NIOSH, CDC, or the U.S. Government.

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Available for download on Friday, April 30, 2027

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