Services

1. Hearing Conservation Program for Farmers
2. Respiratory Health Maintenance Program for Farmers

These services are available to members of the Agricultural Health Safety Network

Hearing Conservation Program for Farmers

Continued exposure to high levels of noise over long periods of time without hearing protection can produce permanent hearing loss. Studies have shown that farmers show significant losses in hearing as compared to the non-farming population and that early hearing loss begins during the teenage years.

There are many sources of noise on the farm that may contribute to hearing loss. With an awareness of noise sources, both work-related and recreational, and the proper use of hearing protection, occupational hearing loss is completely preventable.

What is the Hearing Conservation Program for Farmers?

The program is a hearing screening service for agricultural producers that is delivered by professionally trained staff in your community.

The goals of the program are to:

• increase the awareness of the risks associated with noise exposure on the farm,
• encourage the use of work practices and personal protective equipment (ear plugs and ear muffs) that will reduce noise exposure on the farm,
• identify farmers who have or are at risk for developing noise induced hearing loss,
• refer individuals to their family physician or other resources for a complete assessment where indicated.

Who is eligible for the program?

All adult members of the Agricultural Health and Safety Network may attend the program in their community.

What will happen when I attend a program?

An individual who is interested in having their hearing tested will be given a Noise Exposure questionnaire to complete prior to the hearing screening.

Hearing screening takes 15-20 minutes. Staff will

• review your questionnaire,
• visually check your ears,
• do the hearing screening,
• interpret the screening test,
• provide you with a copy of your test results, and
• refer you for follow-up when necessary.

Information on noise sources on the farm will be available.

Respiratory Health Maintenance Program for Farmers

There are many hazards on the farm that may produce effects on the respiratory system (lungs) of farmers or their family members. These respiratory hazards may result in minor, short term illness or symptoms, permanent disability, or death. With awareness of the risks and prevention, these injuries and illnesses are preventable.

What is the Respiratory Health Maintenance Program for Farmers?

The program is an educational and respiratory screening service for farmers and their families that is delivered by professionally trained staff in the local community.

The goals of the program are to:

• increase the awareness of the health and safety risks associated with respiratory hazards on the farm,
• identify effective methods of reducing exposure to respiratory hazards on the farm such as alternate work practices and the use and selection of respirators,
• identify farmers who have or are at risk for developing respiratory disease associated with exposure to respiratory hazards, and
• refer farmers who have an abnormal respiratory test to their family physician.

Who is eligible for the program?

All adult members of the Agricultural Health and Safety Network may attend the program in their community.

What will happen when I attend a program?

The Respiratory Health Maintenance Program, offered as a drop-in clinic involves a lung function test. Each participant:

• completes a respiratory health questionnaire,
• has their blood pressure measured,
• performs a lung function test,
• has the results interpreted,
• receives personalized health teaching and resource materials,
• receives a copy of their lung test, and
• when necessary is referred for follow-up to their physician.