Occupational Noise Exposure of Farm Operators: Hazards and Controls

Farm operators are exposed to very high levels of occupational as well as recreational noise. Regulations and workplace health services such as hearing conservation programs are virtually nonexistent for these agricultural workers. There are multiple threats to farmers’ consistent and correct use of hearing protection devices, creating a need for effective, targeted training programs to motivate this workforce to protect themselves from the auditory and systemic effects of noise.