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NHCA E-News - August 2024
Save the Date: NHCA Virtual Fall
Educational Summit
Your Executive Council is excited to announce a new opportunity for learning and networking. Our first annual Virtual Fall Educational Summit will occur on Wednesday October 30th, 2024. The Summit will include about 4 hours of live and 4 hours of on demand presentations. All will be available for CEUs, and live presentations will be taped for later viewing and CEUs. 

Attendees will be able to watch live presentations from
9:00am to 1:30pm MT / 10:00am to 2:30pm CT / 11:00am to 3:30pm ET.
 
NHCA members will receive a discounted rate.
 
Please stay tuned - more details will be coming soon! 
 
Call for 2025 NHCA Conference Abstract Reviewers
The Program Task Force is calling for interested volunteers to assist in abstract review for the 2025 NHCA Conference. This is an important step in ensuring the impact and professionalism of our conference, and in qualifying for continuing education. We’re seeking experienced and new reviewers, with a goal of diversity in background and specialization.
 
Abstract review will begin in early September and will ideally be completed by September 23rd. Reviewers can access the review portal freely during that time, allowing for considerable flexibility. 
 
If you are interested in assisting with this vital task, please contact Director of Education, Andy Merkley, at [email protected]. A note about your professional area is appreciated.
 
Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Loss Awards - Self Nominations Accepted Through August 18!
Self-nominations for the annual Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards are still being accepted. The awards are co-sponsored by NIOSH, the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA), and the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC).
 
The Safe-in-Sound Award is presented annually to organizations and individuals who demonstrate the benefits of developing or following good hearing loss prevention practices. Applicants are evaluated against key performance indicators in a review process designed to evaluate hearing loss prevention programs in the workplace.
 
Self-nominations will be accepted through August 19, 2024. Winners are invited to receive the award and present their real-world success stories at our annual NHCA Conference, February 6-8, 2025, in Charleston, SC.
 
For information on how to submit a nomination, please visit the Safe-in-Sound website (https://www.safeinsound.us/).
 
Latest NHCA “Listen Up” Column in the Industrial Hygiene in the Workplace IHW Magazine
Every two months, NHCA experts contribute a short article to the IHW Magazine. The latest issue included the NHCA article titled "Hearing Protector Fit-Testing: Beyond the NRR" by Col. Amy Blank (Industrial Hygiene, Current issue), July/August issue, page 26). 

Past IHW magazine issues can also be viewed at: https://industrialhygienepub.com/. e-News will alert you the next time one of our NHCA experts contributes an article. 
 
Recent Hearing Research

Making a racket in America's fastest growing sport: Evaluation of noise exposure in pickleball. Lee L, Fitzpatrick TH, Irwin LA, Calder AN, Manzoor NF.Am J Otolaryngol. 2024 Jul 22;45(5):104409. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104409. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39059163

Application of the occupational health risk assessment model in predicting the risk of noise-induced hearing loss in noise-polluted manufacturers in southern China. Li X, Su S, Wen C, Wang T, Xu H, Liu M.Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2024 Jul 29:1-11. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2024.2371695. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39075984

Self-reported occupational noise exposure and hearing protection device use among NHANES participants and the risk of hearing loss. Roberts B, Smith S, Vahora M, Miller E.J Occup Environ Hyg. 2024 Jul 23:1-6. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2371904. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39042873

Hearing Difficulties Among Farmworkers in the México-US Southwest Border Region. Coco L, Sanchez GD, Campuzano GA, Keeney AJ, Romine JK.J Immigr Minor Health. 2024 Aug;26(4):1-10. doi: 10.1007/s10903-024-01592-8. Epub 2024 Apr 22.PMID: 38647631

The impact of age-related hearing loss on cognitive decline: The mediating role of brain age gap. Nemati S, Arjmandi M, Busby N, Bonilha L, Fridriksson J.Neuroscience. 2024 Jul 23;551:185-195. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.05.004. Epub 2024 Jun 3.PMID: 38838977

Mitigation of Effect Modification by Psychological Status in Patients With Hearing Loss. Kim M, Willard EG, Corrales CE, Prince AA, Zhou AS, Rosner B, Edelen M, Shin JJ.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Jul 1;150(7):537-544. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2024.0898.PMID: 38722618

Extended High-Frequency Thresholds: Associations With Demographic and Risk Factors, Cognitive Ability, and Hearing Outcomes in Middle-Aged and Older Adults. Helfer KS, Maldonado L, Matthews LJ, Simpson AN, Dubno JR.Ear Hear. 2024 Jul 11. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001531. Online ahead of print.PMID: 38987892
 
Sound Postcard

“Superpowered” bats keep their hearing as they age

Most mammals lose their hearing as they grow older.  But scientists have identified a species of bat that don’t lose any hearing as they age, and it’s triggering new research into new ways to decrease age-related hearing loss.

Click here to learn more. 
 
Members: Tell Us Your News!
Speaking, publishing, researching, performing, hearing? NHCA would love to hear about exciting changes and achievements in your professional and personal endeavors.
Click here to tell us your news!
 


Who is NHCA?


We are a group of passionate hearing conservationists willing to share their expertise to prevent hearing loss. NHCA members include occupational and clinical audiologists, industrial hygienists, occupational health nurses, acoustical engineers and technicians, physicians, occupational health and safety professionals, military personnel, university professors, students, researchers and others with an interest in hearing conservation. 





Visit the Virtual Marketplace Year-Round! 

Learn more about NHCA’s sponsors by accessing profiles, videos, and other helpful links here.

Our Vision: To prevent hearing loss and other auditory disorders due to noise and secondary environmental factors in all sectors of society.

Our Mission: NHCA provides leadership, expertise, and education on hearing loss prevention strategies and services to the broader professional community and empowers and supports members through networking and advocacy.
 
If you are not a member, click here and join today!
- Angela Anderson - Editor

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]. 
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