Karin Adams, assistant professor for the School of Allied Health Sciences Department of Community and Environmental Health, published an article in the Journal of Environmental Health volume 79.4 in Nov.
Indoor hockey officials might be at high risk of hearing loss at an earlier age because their noise exposures have not been evaluated and officiating can begin as early as 10 years of age. The article, “Noise Exposure and Temporary Hearing Loss of Indoor Hockey Officials: A Pilot Study,” analyzed officials of junior and collegiate hockey leagues in northern Colorado who agreed to participate in noise dosimetry and pre and postgame pure-tone audiometry to determine if a decrease in hearing sensitivity resulted from noise exposures during the game.
All of the participating officials were exposed to equivalent sound pressure levels and 65 percent were overexposed based on noise criteria set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Of the sampled officials, 10 of 18 demonstrated an increase in hearing loss, seven of whom included shifts in more than one ear and/or frequency. The results of the study suggest exposure to hazardous levels of noise may create an increased risk for hearing loss among hockey officials.