Program Management in a Matrix Environment

Foster effective leadership.

Access to Intramural and Extramural Expertise

Recruit additional expert researchers to the NIOSH Hearing Loss Research Program staff. Expand access to outside expertise.

Program Planning

Develop a strategic plan.

Use surveillance data as well as stakeholder input to identify priorities.

Use information from evaluation of hearing loss prevention measures to guide program planning.

Systematize collaboration with regulatory partners.

Evaluation of Hearing Loss Prevention Measures

Place greater emphasis on evaluation of the effectiveness of hearing loss prevention measures on the basis of outcomes that are as closely related as possible to reducing noise exposure and the incidence of occupational hearing loss.

Surveillance Activities

Initiate national surveillance for occupational hearing loss and hazardous noise.

Noise Control Perspective

Integrate the noise control engineering perspective into overall program efforts for all sectors.

Develop noise control engineering approaches for non-mining sectors.

Increase the visibility of noise control engineering as a component of the Hearing Loss Research Program.

Accredit laboratories used to conduct studies for the Hearing Loss Research Program.

Extramural Research

Target more of the extramural research funding.

Increase collaboration and mutual awareness of ongoing work among intramural and extramural researchers.