Occupational exposure to noise and hearing change among US Service members
Presenter Biography
Kelly M Reavis, MPH, MS, CCC-A is a 4th year PhD student of epidemiology in the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health. Ms. Reavis is also a clinically certified audiologist with over 15 years of clinical research experience in Veteran hearing health. Her research focuses on disentangling the downstream effects of hearing loss while emphasizing upstream prevention strategies. She has a special interest in ushering in advanced epidemiologic methods to hearing science.
Program/Major
Epidemiology
Student Level
PhD
Presentation Type
Presentation
Start Date
4-3-2019 12:00 AM
End Date
4-3-2019 12:00 AM
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/30979
Abstract
Hearing changes during military service have historically been reported as the proportion of Service members demonstrating significant threshold shifts (STS). However, STS do not capture the magnitude of the hearing change or the frequencies impacted. Determining the amount of hearing change and potential risk factors, including occupational noise exposure, that affect the magnitude of change is important to elucidate the impact of military Service on hearing. We will describe the longitudinal progression of hearing for service members enrolled in the Noise Outcomes In Servicemembers Epidemiology (NOISE) Study with historical cohort audiometric data in the DoD's Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System – Hearing Conservation (DOEHRS-HC repository. Linking the NOISE study with the DOEHRS-HC data provides an opportunity to estimate the impact of occupational noise exposures on hearing during service. This is a unique use of the DOEHRS-HC data and is the first analysis of hearing change over time using such data. A linear, mixed-effects model will be employed to analyze the data which allows estimation of the average intercept and rates of change via fixed effects and for individual deviation from the average via estimation of random effects. Estimates of the amount of hearing change by frequency and risk factors that impact the hearing will inform DoD efforts to protect Service members hearing during their military career.
Occupational exposure to noise and hearing change among US Service members
Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 294
Hearing changes during military service have historically been reported as the proportion of Service members demonstrating significant threshold shifts (STS). However, STS do not capture the magnitude of the hearing change or the frequencies impacted. Determining the amount of hearing change and potential risk factors, including occupational noise exposure, that affect the magnitude of change is important to elucidate the impact of military Service on hearing. We will describe the longitudinal progression of hearing for service members enrolled in the Noise Outcomes In Servicemembers Epidemiology (NOISE) Study with historical cohort audiometric data in the DoD's Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System – Hearing Conservation (DOEHRS-HC repository. Linking the NOISE study with the DOEHRS-HC data provides an opportunity to estimate the impact of occupational noise exposures on hearing during service. This is a unique use of the DOEHRS-HC data and is the first analysis of hearing change over time using such data. A linear, mixed-effects model will be employed to analyze the data which allows estimation of the average intercept and rates of change via fixed effects and for individual deviation from the average via estimation of random effects. Estimates of the amount of hearing change by frequency and risk factors that impact the hearing will inform DoD efforts to protect Service members hearing during their military career.
