Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Farmworkers

Overview

Agricultural workers are routinely exposed to hazardous noise from machinery, yet hearing loss in this population remains under-recognized and under-addressed. Structural barriers—including limited access to hearing healthcare, lack of culturally appropriate education, and inconsistent use of hearing protection—contribute to preventable hearing loss among farmworkers in the U.S.–Mexico border region.

This project examines occupational noise exposure and develops scalable, community-informed strategies to reduce risk and improve hearing health outcomes.

Objectives

  • Quantify real-world noise exposure among farmworkers using personal dosimetry
  • Characterize knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to hearing protection
  • Identify barriers to hearing healthcare access in agricultural settings
  • Develop and evaluate culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions to reduce noise exposure

Methods

This work uses a mixed-methods approach:

  • Noise Exposure Assessment: Personal noise dosimetry conducted during agricultural work shifts
  • Surveys and Interviews: Assessment of hearing health knowledge, risk perception, and protective behaviors
  • Community-Engaged Research: Collaboration with farmworker communities to inform intervention design
  • Intervention Development: Pilot testing of educational and behavioral strategies to promote hearing protection use

Current Status

Ongoing. Data collection and analysis are in progress, with initial findings informing the development of a multilevel intervention (Proyecto Oídos Protegidos).

Selected Outputs

  • Manuscript in preparation: Noise exposure and hearing health among farmworkers in the U.S.–Mexico border region
  • Conference presentation: National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA), 2026

Funding

This work is supported by:

  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) – K23 Career Development Award
  • Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (University of California, Davis)
  • HealthLINK Center for Translational Research

Team

  • Principal Investigator: Laura Coco, PhD, AuD, CCC-A
  • Graduate and undergraduate research assistants (San Diego State University)
  • Community and field partners in agricultural settings

Opportunities to Get Involved

We periodically have opportunities for students and collaborators to contribute to data collection, analysis, and dissemination.

  • Graduate student research involvement
  • Undergraduate research assistant positions
  • Collaboration with community organizations and public health partners

For current openings, see the Open Positions page.

Why This Matters

Noise-induced hearing loss is entirely preventable, yet remains a persistent occupational health disparity among farmworkers. This work aims to move beyond documentation toward practical, scalable solutions that can be implemented in real-world agricultural contexts.