Additional Resources

• OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section III: Chapter 5 – Noise. Comprehensive resource on occupational noise, including topics such as fundamentals of sound, exposure effects, hearing loss and prevention, engineering controls, standards, and investigation guidelines.
• Preventing Hearing Loss Caused by Chemical (Ototoxicity) and Noise Exposure. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) and NIOSH, Publication No. 2018-124, (2018). Describes the increased risk of hearing loss due to exposure to noise in combination with ototoxic chemicals.
• Stakeholder Meeting on Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: Summary Report. OSHA, (November 3, 2011).
• OSHA FactSheet – Laboratory Safety Noise. OSHA FS-3463, (2011). Provides information regarding noise hazards and controls in laboratories.
• OSHA Temporary Worker Initiative – Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation. OSHA TWI Bulletin No. 9, (2018). Information on application of OSHA noise standards for temporary workers.
• Noise and Hearing Loss. NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic. Comprehensive information on noise and hearing loss topics, including FAQs, tools, publications, research, and related information.
• "Buy Quiet" – a NIOSH prevention initiative to help companies buy quieter products by providing them with information on equipment noise levels and encouraging manufacturers to design quieter equipment (2023).
• NORA Hearing Loss Prevention Cross-Sector Council. CDC, National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). The Council brings together individuals and organizations with a shared interest in preventing work-related hearing loss. Site includes links to outreach materials such as the following:
  • Hearing is Quality of Life. Video series produced by the Council to increase awareness of the risk of hearing loss, including conversations with workers who have experienced hearing loss and/or tinnitus. Hosted by the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA).
• Protect Yourself from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Includes FAQs and links to noise resources. The AIHA also publishes the following noise-related resources:
  • Meinke, D., et al. "The Noise Manual." 6th ed. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Press, 2022. Comprehensive reference on noise and hearing conservation.
  • Anna, D., ed. "The Occupational Environment - Its Evaluation, Control and Management." 3rd ed. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), 2011. This reference contains an entire chapter on noise.
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). FAQs and other resources on noise and hearing loss.
• Health topics: Noise. World Health Organization (WHO). Fact sheets, guidelines, initiatives, and related environmental and occupational noise information.
• Noise at work. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Noise Topic page, United Kingdom. Guidance material, standards, publications, and other resources from HSE.
• Noise. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). Noise topic page from EU-OSHA, includes information on health effects, sources, reduction measures, and other resources. The EU-OSHA Publications page also includes several resources on occupational noise, such as the following factsheets:
  • Factsheet 50 - Management of noise in construction
  • Factsheet 56 - An introduction to noise at work
  • Factsheet 57 – The impact of noise at work
  • Factsheet 58 - Noise reduction and control
  • Factsheet 67 - Noise in figures
• American Academy of Audiology (AAA). Promotes quality hearing and balance care by advancing the profession of audiology through leadership, advocacy, education, public awareness, and research.

Disability Information

• Job Accommodation Network. U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities and related subjects.
• United States Access Board. Independent federal agency that develops and maintains accessibility guidelines and standards under several different laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Includes guidelines and standards, guidance materials, reports, and research.