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Text Description for Noise Exposure at Work and Hearing Loss in Adults

Percent of the U.S. population aged 20-69 with hearing loss >25 decibels, by occupational noise exposure

People Who Reported No Loud Noise at Work: 5.5 percent

People Who Reported Loud Noise at Work - Loud (must raise voice to be heard) for a duration of less than five years: 5.4 percent

People Who Reported Loud Noise at Work - Loud (must raise voice to be heard) for a duration of five or more years: 8.9 percent

People Who Reported Loud Noise at Work - Very Loud (must shout to be understood by someone 3 feet away) for a duration of less than five years: 10.0 percent

People Who Reported Loud Noise at Work - Very Loud (must shout to be understood by someone 3 feet away) for a duration of five or more years: 17.8 percent

Source: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012. Analysis reported in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, December 2016.

NIDCD's 12/15/16 news release on this data

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