Introducing an Occupational Health Resource: The Occupational Noise Job Exposure Matrix

Introduction Noise-induced hearing loss is highly prevalent in the U.S., and noise is increasingly being linked to other non-auditory health effects such as cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbance, and stress. However, our knowledge of noise exposures associated with many U.S. occupations is lacking. To address this issue, researchers used existing resources to develop a first-of-its-kind Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) for noise which allows users to estimate workplace noise exposures on a national scale. Researchers from the University of Michigan leveraged existing noise measurement data obtained from a wide variety of regulatory and research agencies, the published literature, and industry sources to