hearing conservation hearing loss n can you imagine not being able to: –hear music? –listen to...
TRANSCRIPT
HEARING CONSERVATION
HEARING CONSERVATION
Hearing LossHearing Loss Can you imagine not being
able to:– Hear music?– Listen to the sounds of
nature?– Socialize with your family?
Can you imagine being afflicted with uncomfortable ringing or abnormal sounds that interfere with sleep?
The Impact Of Noise The Impact Of Noise
Interferes with communication
Causes fatigue Distracting or irritating Reduces morale
or efficiency
Anatomy Of The EarAnatomy Of The Ear
The Outer EarThe Outer Ear
The Middle EarThe Middle Ear
The Inner EarThe Inner Ear
Several animals can hear sounds of much higher frequency, which is why humans do not hear special whistles that may be heard by dogs.
Sounds vary not only in frequency, but also in intensity.
SoundsSounds
The measure of sound pressure
The decibel is a relative measure
5 dBA exchange rate
DecibelDecibel
16
86
4 3 2 1.5 1 .5 .25
85 90 92 95 97 100 102 105 110 115
Permissible Noise Exposure
Permissible Noise Exposure
3030
WhisperWhisper90 dB90 dB
6060
TalkingTalking90 dB90 dB
8080
TrafficTraffic90 dB90 dB
8585
HaulTruckHaul
Truck 90 dB90 dB
8686
LoaderLoader90 dB90 dB
9191
LawnMowerLawn
Mower 90 dB90 dB
103103
ImpactWrenchImpactWrench 90 dB90 dB
105105
DozerDozer90 dB90 dB
109109
ScreensScreens90 dB90 dB
110110
ChainSaw
ChainSaw 90 dB90 dB
120120
RockConcert
RockConcert 90 dB90 dB
125125
MetalBanging
MetalBanging 90 dB90 dB
140140
JetAirplane
JetAirplane 90 dB90 dB
Threshold of pain
165165
12-GaugeShotgun12-GaugeShotgun 90 dB90 dB
NIOSH estimates that 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels
At present exposure limits, one in four workers will develop permanent hearing loss
Hearing ExposureHearing Exposure
Two Categories of hearing
Loss:
Hearing ExposureHearing Exposure
Temporary Permanent
Wax build up Measles / Otosclerosis Aging Head injury Drugs / Medicine Chemicals Heredity
Hearing Loss CausesHearing Loss Causes
Fail to catch words
Ears ringing Shouting
without realizing
Trouble understanding high frequency sounds in speech
Signs of Hearing LossSigns of Hearing Loss
Demonstration of Hearing Loss
Demonstration of Hearing Loss
Sound tracks of a male voice, with no background noise
– Normal– Loss of 25 dB– Loss of 40 dB– Loss of 60 dB– Normal
Action Level 85 dB - Must inform employees & enroll them in a hearing conservation program
Permissible Exposure Level 90 dB - Must enroll employee in a hearing conservation program, use all controls to reduce exposure, must wear hearing protection
Dual Protection Level 105 dB - Must wear both plugs and earmuffs
Noise StandardNoise Standard
Engineering Controls– Eliminate or reduce the noise
at the source– Interrupting the noise path– Reducing reverberation
Administrative Controls– Change in work schedule– Quiet areas for breaks– Job rotation
Eliminating NoiseEliminating Noise
Monitoring system Hearing protection Audiometric testing Training Recordkeeping
Hearing Conservation Program
Hearing Conservation Program
AudiogramsAudiograms
Audiometric testing offered
Qualified medical provider
Baseline tests Annual testing
Standard Threshold ShiftStandard Threshold Shift Hearing changed
by 10 db average Employee
notification within 21 days
Revised hearing protection required
Further medical evaluation
Dosimeter
Sound Level Meter
MonitoringMonitoring
Listed on the package How many decibels are blocked OSHA subtracts the NRR by 50% NIOSH subtracts the NRR by 25%
for earmuffs, 50% for formable plugs, and 70% for all other plugs
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
Reusable and Headband Plugs– 25 to 35 dB NRR
– Preformed to fit ear
– Flexible rubber
– Inspect and clean
– Replace when hard or damaged
Hearing ProtectionHearing Protection
Disposable Plugs– 25 to 35 dB NRR– Expandable foam– One size fits all– Insert with clean
hands– If damaged or dirty
throw them away
Hearing ProtectionHearing Protection
Inserting PlugsInserting Plugs
Earmuffs– 22 to 29 dB NRR– Foam filled cushions– Hard to get good
seal– Works well with
plugs– Replace when stiff or
worn
Hearing ProtectionHearing Protection
Advantages Disadvantages
Ear Plugs Good NRR. Hard to wear.Get dirty.
Ear Muffs Easy to wear.Fits everyone.
Fair NRR.Expensive.Easily broken.
Plugs vs. EarmuffsPlugs vs. Earmuffs
Prolonged noise exposure causes permanent hearing loss
Hearing loss is preventable, so wear your hearing protection!
ConclusionConclusion
Wear this now...
Or wear this later!
It’s Really Pretty Simple…..
It’s Really Pretty Simple…..