Report of the Department of Health / New Zealand.

  • New Zealand. Department of Health.
Date:
[1984]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report of the Department of Health / New Zealand. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/96 (page 8)
    40 000 adults with significant hearing impairment as a result of exposure to excessive noise levels. The department, over recent years, has increased its efforts to reduce the exposure of people to harmful noise levels and to encourage industries to run hearing conservation programmes. Indeed, as far as is known, when New Zealand introduced a comprehensive hearing conservation programme in industry in 1983, it was the first country to do so. This programme includes: • measuring noise levels in all premises where employees may be subject to excessive noise (above 85 decibels); • assisting efforts to have noise at work reduced and, if this cannot be achieved, advising on the use of adequate hearing protection devices; and • conducting educational programmes on hearing conservation in industries, supported by national publicity. To assist the programme, an Occupational Deafness Co ordinating Committee has been formed in each of the country’s 18 health districts with representatives from government organisations, along with employer and employee groups. Special training courses have been held for district health staff, to provide advanced knowledge in noise measurement, noise control, and hearing conservation. Courses have also been held to train nurses and safety officers in the organisation and implementation of hearing conservation programmes. To assist in the implementation of the programme, the department developed a hearing conservation kit containing printed and audio¬ visual materials. This is available on loan to organisations from district health offices. Conclusion Much has been achieved in the co-ordination, rationalisation, and expansion of hearing services. The problems are better defined and some forms of deafness have decreased and are likely to decrease further with present programmes. Much remains to be done and this will require further extension and rationalisation of services. The encouragement of public and professional awareness and involvement is essential for the success of programmes. The department will continue to work towards this in association and consultation with the many other organisations and people involved.