AgDARE - Agricultural Disability Awareness and Risk Education

Hearing Loss - Lesson Plan

Background: Farmers and their families are exposed to many sources of noise. The noise often continues for long periods of time at levels that are potentially damaging to hearing. The farm population suffers an increased risk of hearing loss, largely due to occupational noise exposure. This exposure to high frequency noise levels may begin at a young age, and the negative results may be compounded as the person's exposure accumulates over time. The activities within this unit give students methods to prevent ear damage due to loud noises associated with farming.

Objectives: For the student to recognize the prevalence of hearing loss within agricultural occupations and be able to perform the following tasks:

• Name four examples of farm work generally reaching the excessive level
• Name the decibel level at which hearing protection is recommended
• Describe cumulative effects of hearing loss
• List three ways to protect hearing
  

Situation Development: Things to be brought out by the teacher in discussion to generate interest in the lesson: (See fact sheet.)

• Ask the students how many of them ever wear some type of hearing protection on their farm, and how many farmers they know that wear hearing protection. Discuss the reasons why they or others do or do not use protection.
• Discuss deafness by listing people they know who are deaf or have hearing problems. Relate to older members of their families who may be hard of hearing and the possible sources of that hearing loss.

Problem Statement: Identify the lesson topic and what the students will be answering in their activities.

• What are the main causes of hearing loss and how can hearing loss be prevented?

Analysis: Things to consider in analyzing the topic and reaching the conclusion:

• Discuss statistics related to hearing loss in agricultural occupations
• Incidents that cause hearing loss
• Effects of hearing loss
• Prevention of farm-related hearing loss

Directed Study: Listed below are activities that will present the concepts of preventing hearing loss. Choose the activities which best fit your time restraints, student abilities, and resource availability. Student fact sheets are included, which give information about hearing loss and protection. Duplicate these fact sheets, and use as reference sheets when conducting the activities.

• Narrative Simulation
• Physical Simulation
• Supplemental Activities:
  Noise Level Recognition
  Field Trip
  Guest Speaker
  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Group Conclusion: After completion of the activities, the teacher will lead in discussion of the topic with the class, approaching the points outlined in the analysis. The students should provide information and knowledge as gained from the activities and reference materials.

	KERA Goals	Goal 1
	Accessing Sources of Info
	Reading
	Observing
	Listening
	Quantifying
	Computing
	Visualizing
	Measuring
	Mathematical Reasoning
	Classifying
	Writing
	Speaking
	Visual Arts
	Music
	Movement
	Using Electronic Tech.
		Goal 2
	Nature of Scientific Activity
	Patterns
	Systems and Interactions
	Models and Scale
	Constancy
	Evolutionary Change
	Number
	Mathematical Procedures
	Space and Dimensionality
	Measurement
	Change
	Mathematical Structure
	Date
	Democratic Principles
	Political System
	Social Systems
	Cultural Diversity
	Economic Systems
	Geography & Human Activity
	Historical Perspective
	Interpersonal Relationships
	Production
	Analysis of Forms
	Aesthetics
	Cultural Heritage
	Cultural Diversity
	Language
	Second Language
	Family/Life Parenting
	Consumerism
	Physical Wellness
	Mental/Emotional Wellness
	Community Health Systems
	Psychomotor Skills
	Lifetime Physical Activities
	Career Paths
	Employability Attributes
	Post-Secondary Options
		Goal 3
	Positive Self-concept
	Healthy Lifestyle
	Adaptability/Flexibility
	Resourcefulness/Creativity
	Self-control/Self-discipline
	Ethical Values
	Independent Learning
		Goal 4
	Interpersonal Skills
	Team Membership
	Consistent, Caring Behavior
	Rights & Responsibilities
	Multicultural/World View
	Open Mind
		Goal 5
	Critical Thinking
	Creative Thinking
	Conceptualizing
	Decision Making
	Problem Solving
		Goal 6
	Multiple Perspectives
	Developing New Knowledge
	Expanding Knowledge

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