As part of the NIOSH-funded Ohio Farm Family Health and Hazard Survey
(OFFHHS), self-reported noise exposure data were collected from more than 1,700
Principal Operators (POs) of cash grain farms. Information on exposure to
occupational and non-occupational noise sources was obtained by means of a statewide
mixed-mode survey.With respect to occupational sources, nearly all survey respondents
reported a history of cabless tractor operation, approximately 80% had operated a chain
saw, and approximately 70% had operated a combine. About 1/3 respondents reported
current employment in a noisy job in addition to farming, while nearly 20% reported a
history of non-agricultural noisy employment. The most frequently reported nonoccupational
sources of noise exposure were hunting (51.5% of respondents),
motorcycle riding (21.2%), and target shooting (20.5%). Self-reported equipmentspecific
data on total years of operation or use, days of operation or use per year, and
mean hours of operation or use per day were used to estimate lifetime hours of
exposure to noisy activities/tasks. Of the more than 61 million cumulative lifetime
hours of exposure reported by the 1,700+ respondents, more than half was accounted
for by operation of cabless tractors. In addition, 2/3 respondents reported they never
wear hearing protection when they operate or are around noisy farm equipment.
Attempts to identify factors associated with use of hearing protection revealed that
although the prevalence of usage varied by age and education, use was poor across all
subgroups examined, suggesting that agricultural workers of all ages and levels of
education would benefit from interventions designed to reduce the incidence of noiseinduced
hearing loss.