ArticleSafety and health at work2021
Field Attenuation of Foam Earplugs.
Article in Safety and health at work, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.
- Enhancing and sustaining noise attenuation from hearing protection devices: A mixed methods review of fit testing and instruction approaches.Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene · 2026Pooled it
- Hearing protection field attenuation estimation systems and associated training for reducing workers' exposure to noise.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2024Pooled it
- A Systematic Literature Review of the Factors Influencing Hearing Protection Device Usage among Industrial Workers.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Pooled it
- Personal attenuation ratings versus derated noise reduction ratings for hearing protection devices.The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2022Article
- Effect of Hearing Protection Use on Pianists' Performance and Experience: Comparing Foam and Musician Earplugs.Frontiers in psychology · 2022Article
- A deep neural-network classifier for photograph-based estimation of hearing protection attenuation and fit.The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundHearing protection devices (HPDs) are often used in the workplace to prevent hearing damage caused by noise. However, a factor that can lead to hearing loss in the workplace is improper HPD fitting, and the previous literature has shown that instructing workers on how to properly insert their HPDs can make a significant difference in the degree of attenuation.
methodsTwo studies were completed on a total of 33 Hydro One workers. A FitCheck Solo field attenuation estimation system was used to measure the personal attenuation rating (PAR) before and after providing one-on-one fitting instructions. In addition, external ear canal diameters were measured, and a questionnaire with items related to frequency of use, confidence, and discomfort was administered.
resultsTraining led to an improvement in HPD attenuation, particularly for participants with poorer PARs before training. The questionnaire results indicated that much HPD discomfort is caused by heat, humidity, and communication difficulties. External ear canal asymmetry did not appear to significantly influence the measured PAR.
conclusionIn accordance with the previous literature, our studies suggest that one-on-one instruction is an effective training method for HPD use. Addressing discomfort issues from heat, humidity, and communication issues could help to improve the use of HPDs in the workplace. Further research into the effects of canal asymmetry on the PAR is needed.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.