The 37th National Hearing Conservation Association’s (NHCA) Annual Conference is taking place this week in New Orleans, LA on February 23 through February 25. The mission of the NHCA is to prevent hearing loss due to noise and other environmental factors in all sectors of society. Formed in June of 1976 as the Hearing Conservation Association, the organization officially changed its name to the National Hearing Conservation Association in 1981. The founders of NHCA were mainly audiologists and ENTs who were concerned with the development and related impact of noise-induced hearing loss from occupational noise exposure. NHCA was created to provide a forum for audiologists, physicians, engineers, industrial hygienists, safety professionals, nurses and other professionals to share knowledge, expertise, and practical information in an effort to gain increased insights and awareness regarding occupational hearing conservation.
For audiologists interested in offering patients hearing conservation solutions and options, joining the Association offers a variety of benefits including access to various resources and information. For example, members gain access to a hearing conservation bibliography listing relevant articles on hearing conservation and hearing loss prevention dating back to 1997. The Educator Resource section offers slides, practical guides and various teaching tools to help educate and motivate employees involved in occupational hearing conservation programs. Check out www.hearingconservation.org for more information. While you are at it, save the dates of February 21-23, 2013 for the 38th Annual NHCA Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida. This is my second year attending the conference and it is a great venue attended by excellent, motivated and knowledgeable people willing to share their expertise on hearing prevention.
