On this page: About the National Data | Methodology | History
About the National Data
Data
Baseline: 66.8 percent of adults aged 20 to 69 years used hearing protection devices (i.e., earplugs, noise muffs (earmuffs), ear canal caps, or helmets) when exposed to loud sounds or music in 2015-16
Target: 71.4 percent
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
From the 2015-16 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey:
Numerator:
How often {did you/did SP} wear hearing protection devices (ear plugs, ear muffs) when shooting firearms?- ALWAYS
- USUALLY
- ABOUT HALF THE TIME
- SELDOM
- Never
- Refused
- Don't know
- ALWAYS
- USUALLY
- ABOUT HALF THE TIME
- SELDOM
- NEVER
- NO NOISE EXPOSURE IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS
- Refused
- Don't know
- ALWAYS
- USUALLY
- ABOUT HALF THE TIME
- SELDOM
- NEVER
- NO NOISE EXPOSURE IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS
- Refused
- Don't know
Numerator and Denominator:
This next question is about {your/SP's} use of firearms that {you/he/she} may have used for target shooting, hunting, for {your/his/her} job or in military service. Firearms include pistols, shotguns, rifles, and other types of guns. Do not include BB or pellet guns. {Have you/Has SP} ever used firearms for any reason?- YES
- NO
- Refused
- Don't know
These next questions are about noise exposure at work. First, we are going to ask about loud noise. Loud means so loud that {you/s/he} must speak in a raised voice to be heard by someone three feet away when not using hearing protection. After that we will ask about very loud noise. Very loud noise is noise that is so loud {you have/he has/she has} to shout in order to be understood by someone standing 3 feet away from {you/him/her} when not using hearing protection.
{Have you/Has SP} ever had a job, or combination of jobs where {you were/s/he was} exposed to loud sounds or noise for 4 or more hours a day, several days a week?- YES
- NO
- NEVER WORKED
- Refused
- Don't know
- YES
- NO
- NEVER WORKED
- Refused
- Don't know
- YES
- Refused
- Don't know
These next questions are about noise at work. First, we are going to ask about loud noise. Loud means so loud that {you/s/he} must speak in a raised voice to be heard by someone three feet away when not using hearing protection. After that we will ask about very loud noise. Very loud noise is noise that is so loud {you have/he has/she has} to shout to be heard by someone three feet away when not using hearing protection.
How many days per month {are you/is SP} usually exposed to loud noise at {your/his/her} job as a(n) {OCCUPATION} for {EMPLOYER}?- _______ ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
- Refused
- Don't know
- _______ ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
- Refused
- Don't know
Methodology notes
"Regular use" of hearing protection devices (earplugs, earmuffs) means use of these devices at least half the time when exposed to loud sounds or music.
Age-adjustment notes
This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:
- Total: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69
- Sex: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69
- Race/Ethnicity: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69
- Educational Attainment: 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69
- Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69
- Country of Birth: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69
- Activity limitations: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69
- Health Insurance Status: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69
- Marital Status: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69