Recognizing that noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible but preventable, my research interest in exposure assessment and control lead me to pursue studies on noise exposure. These studies documented the characteristics of the noise exposure of groundskeepers as an understudied work group, recommended strategies for noise exposure and noise source reduction, and determined factors associated with attitudes towards noise and the use of hearing protection among young adults. Information from these studies may be beneficial in the development of effective hearing conservation programs that are tailored to the target population. I served as the primary investigator, co-investigator or research adviser in these studies.
Related Publications
Book Chapter
Balanay JG (2018). Noise and the Environment (Chapter 24). In P Knechtges, GD Kearney and B Resnick (Eds.), Environmental Public Health: The Practitioner’s Guide (pp. 647-684). Washington, DC: APHA Press. (ISBN 978-0-87553-293-6)
Journal Articles
Kearney GD, Balanay JG and Mannarino AJ* (2017). Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Occupational Noise and Hearing Loss Intervention Among Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers. Journal of Environmental Health 80(3): 8-15.
Balanay JG, Kearney GD and Mannarino AJ (2016). Assessment of occupational noise exposure among groundskeepers in North Carolina public universities. Environmental Health Insights 10: 83-92.
Balanay JG, Kearney GD and Mannarino AJ* (2016). Noise Exposure Assessment among Groundskeepers in a University Setting: A Pilot Study. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 13(3): 193-202.
Balanay JG and Kearney GD (2015). Attitudes towards Noise, Perceived Hearing Symptoms and Reported Use of Hearing Protection among College Students: Influence of Youth Culture. Noise and Health 17(79):394-405.
Cockrell W*, Balanay J and Dawkins W (2015). Engineering Control of Noise from 4-Roll Calender Operations in Tire Manufacturing. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 12: D193-D200.
Related Presentations
Balanay JG, Kearney GD and Mannarino AJ (2017). Assessment of Occupational Noise Exposure among Groundskeepers in North Carolina Public Universities. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Seattle, WA, June 7, 2017.
Balanay J and Kearney G (2016). Attitudes toward Noise, Perceived Hearing Symptoms, and Reported Use of Hearing Protection among College Students: Influence of Youth Culture. 2016 North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) Fall Educational Conference, New Bern, NC, September 15, 2016.
Balanay J and Kearney G (2016). Attitudes toward Noise, Perceived Hearing Symptoms, and Reported Use of Hearing Protection among College Students: Influence of Youth Culture. North Carolina Acoustical Society of America (NC ASA) 50th Anniversary Meeting, Durham, NC, May 6, 2016.
Kearney G and Balanay J (2015). Results of Noise Exposure Assessments among Grounds Maintenance Workers at Multiple Universities in NC. NC OSHERC NORA Interdisciplinary Seminar Series, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, November 4, 2015.
Mannarino A, Balanay JG and Kearney GD (2015). Noise Exposure Assessment among Groundskeepers: A Pilot Study. National Environmental Health Association’s Annual Educational Conference and Exhibition, Orlando, FL, July 14, 2015.
Balanay JG and Kearney GD (2015). Attitudes towards Noise, Perceived Hearing Symptoms and Reported Use of Hearing Protection among College Students: Influence of Youth Culture. National Public Health Week, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, April 9, 2015.
Mannarino A, Balanay JG and Kearney GD (2015). Noise Exposure Assessment among Groundskeepers: A Pilot Study. National Public Health Week, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, April 9, 2015.
Mannarino A, Balanay JG and Kearney GD (2015). Noise Exposure Assessment among Groundskeepers: A Pilot Study. Research and Creative Achievement Week, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, March 23, 2015.
Mannarino A, Balanay JG and Kearney GD (2015). Noise Exposure Assessment among Groundskeepers: A Pilot Study. American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Carolinas Spring Conference, Charlotte, NC, March 19, 2015.