Awareness, Use, and Opinions of Individual Fit Testing of Hearing Protection Devices Among Practicing Michigan Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association Health Care Providers.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the awareness, opinions, and use of individual fit testing of hearing protection devices (HPDs) among occupational medicine practitioners.

Methods: Members of the Michigan Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association completed a 21-question survey on individual fit testing of HPDs.

Results: The survey response rate was 67%, 53% reported having heard of individual fit testing of HPDs, and 24% reported that their clinic/site performed the testing. Major barriers to its use were perceived time to perform (63%), cost (51%), lack of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement (51%), and lack of long-term studies of its effectiveness (20%).

Conclusions: Further work to educate practitioners about the availability, implementation, and potential benefits of fit testing of HPDs is needed if use of this technology is to become more widespread.