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First Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™ Presented
Pamela S. Graydon, MS and Thais C. Morata, PhD

Hearing loss continues to be a major health and quality-of-life problem in the United States. It is the second most selfreported ailment after back problems. In the workplace, hearing loss is one of the most prevalent work-related conditions. Although some employers focus their hearing conservation efforts on compliance alone, other companies recognize that mere compliance with regulations will not prevent hearing loss, and these companies have redirected their programs to have zero tolerance for hearing loss. The Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™ program was designed to reward and learn from those companies that have excellent programs for preventing hearing loss.

2009 Awards
The first Safe-in-Sound Awards were presented during the 2009 Conference of the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA). Co-sponsored by NHCA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), these awards honor companies that have shown their dedication to excellent hearing loss prevention practices in the work environment. The objectives of these awards are to recognize organizations that document measurable achievements in hearing loss prevention programs, obtain information on their real-world successes, and widely disseminate information on how others can use these successful strategies or benchmark their own programs.

“We are pleased to be able to recognize these organizations for their leadership in preventing work-related hearing loss,” said NIOSH Acting Director Christine Branche, Ph.D. “NIOSH is constantly looking to elevate the quality of hearing loss prevention programs, and this is an excellent opportunity to share new ideas and best practices to help improve many areas in worker safety and health.”

Manufacturing Sector
Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. Company, was recognized for the comprehensive approach taken at its East Hartford, Connecticut, facility which aims at excellence in every component of the hearing loss prevention program; for their exceptional commitment to noise control and for promoting the active involvement of the workforce in their efforts.

Domtar Paper Company in Kingsport Mill, Tennessee, was recognized for the comprehensive integration of its hearing loss prevention program and a demonstrated commitment to extend hearing loss prevention practices beyond the occupational work environment into recreational and community activities enjoyed by their workers and their families.

Services Sector
Public entities in Ohio do not fall under the purview of the Federal or State Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but the Montgomery County Water Services proactively addresses each of the components of an effective hearing loss prevention program, often extending beyond minimal regulatory requirements. They were recognized for the comprehensive approach taken, aiming at excellence in every component of the hearing loss prevention program, for developing innovative strategies for addressing the variable work routine of their noise-exposed workers, and for promoting the active involvement of the workforce in their safety and health efforts.

Innovation Award
Sensaphonics Hearing Conservation, Inc., in Chicago, IL, received the Safe-In-Sound Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention Award for being a pioneer in combining products, audiology services, and education to reach their hearing loss prevention goals, for a culture of innovation and educational outreach, and for having raised awareness of the importance of hearing loss prevention among audiologists, the music industry and the general public.

More details on each award recipient and their nominations can be found online at: http://www.safeinsound.us/09winners.html

Safe-In-Sound Website
The traffic recorded on the Safe-in-Sound website is being monitored to quantify interest in this initiative. This monitoring has indicated that the initiative has been well received. So far this year website traffic is more than double that of the same time last year.

It is expected that interest and participation in this award will greatly increase in this and subsequent years as more organizations become aware of the opportunity.

Nominations for the next awards are due by Aug. 1, 2009. Visit www.safeinsound.us for information.

Thais C. Morata, Ph.D. is a Research Audiologist and Project Director for the Safe-In-Sound Award Program. Pamela S. Graydon, M.S. is an Electronics Engineer and Project Manager for the Safe-In-Sound Award Program. They are employed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Cincinnati, Ohio.