VeriPRO® Ear Plug Fit

Testing

August 2010

Attenuation can be determined at threshold, or above threshold

“Real-Ear Attenuation

at Threshold”

30 dB

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

“Real-Ear Attenuation

Above Threshold”

30 dB

VeriPRO allows the user to measure attenuation without interference from background noise levels

Determining Attenuation | Loudness Balance

Test Sequence

Part 1:Both ears

unoccludedThis sets the baseline level for each ear, and measures any asymmetry.

Part 2:Right ear occluded

Attenuation for the right ear is measured.

Part 3:Both ears occluded

Attenuation for the left ear is measured.

Result ~ Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR)

VeriPRO Test Protocol

Complete Check

● 5 freqs in each ear

● Includes reliability checks

● ↑ accuracy, ↑ test time

Quick Check

● 1 critical freq in each ear

● ↓ accuracy, ↓ test time

● Can use with severe hrg loss

ReportMode

● Individual

● Historical

● By freq.

Fit Training

● Videos

VeriPRO Functions

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17

18

No earplugEarplug inserted

Adjust the left ear

User name

VeriPRO Step

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20

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1. Measures real-world attenuation of ANY earplug

2. Fulfills requirement to ‘ensure proper fitting’ of earplugs and evaluate their attenuation

3. On-screen training videos

4. Administered anywhere, quiet room not required

5. Protected exposure level and safe exposure level calculated

VeriPRO Benefits

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25

VeriPRO® Q&A

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“Will calibration of VeriPRO be available?”

“Can custom-molded earplugs

be used with VeriPRO?”

“Do Howard Leight earplugs test better

than others?”

“How reliable is VeriPRO?”

“Can workers with a hearing loss use

VeriPRO?”

“Why did I get a Low Attenuation

warning?”

“Why is 500 Hz tested twice?”

VeriPRO Q&A

29Rove Movement

500 Hz Retest(Complete Check Only)

≤ 6 dB

Attenuation

-10 dB

Reliability Report

VeriPRO Internal Quality Checks

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Real-World Studies2007-2009

VeriPRO Real-World Studies

8 Locations (no pre-screenings)

100 Workers Tested

Casual Test Setting• HPD selected by worker• “Insert as usual”• Training feedback

disabled

Field Testing with VeriPRO

Variation from Published NRR

-30

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Workers

Dif

fere

nce

in d

B

Distribution

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

-30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Variation from Published NRR

Wo

rker

s

Published NRR

VeriPRO Real-World Studies

Difference on 2nd / 3rd Test

-30

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

Subjects

Var

iati

on f

rom

NR

R Published NRR

Many workers improve their protection simply by trying a different type of earplug

VeriPRO Real-World Studies

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“How well can users predict their attenuation after a short fit-testing

training session?"

Pilot Study

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Ability to Predict Noise Reduction

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Within 5 dB category

+/- 7.5 dB

(one Category off)

+/- 12.5 dB

(2 categories off)

Nu

mb

er

of

Ea

rs

(Eac

h s

ub

ject

est

imat

ed a

tten

. fo

r ea

ch e

ar)

56%

32%

12%

Pilot Study

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OSHA Alliance: Best Practice Bulletin www.hearingconservation.org

Additional Information www.hearforever.org

Solution | Fit Testing

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1. Annual employee training

2. New hires

3. Employees with shift in hearing

4. Extreme noise exposures (dual protection)

VeriPRO Usage

VeriPRO Implementation

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Real-Ear

Attenuation at Threshold

(R.E.A.T.)

Loudness Balance

(Real-Ear Attenuation Above

Threshold)

Microphone in Real-Ear

(M.I.R.E.)

In-Ear Dosimetry

Ear Plug Fit Test Methods

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Vs.Ear Plug Fit Test Protocols

Loudness Balance F-Mire

• NRR• Hearing Tests• No corrections required• Worker engaged• PAR• Like REAT

• NRR - EPA prohibits objective tests

• Corrections required• Worker as test fixture• Predicted PAR

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FitCheck EARfit VeriPRO

REAT MIRE REAAT

Very Quiet Room Quiet Room Anywhere

PAR Predicted PAR PAR

Any earplugSelected modified

earplugs – ongoing costs

Any earplug

User generated training

Worker is test fixtureBuilt in training for

worker

Special training required

Special training required

Anyone can perform

Ear Plug Fit Test Methods

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QuietDose

In-Ear Dosimetry As a Problem Solver• Continuously monitors in

noise level at the workers ear

• The only true measure of the hazard!

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In-ear dosimetry measures/records worker’s actual noise dose, with and without protection

Provides real-time monitoring and alerts when worker approaches/exceeds safe limits

Only metric with direct potential to measure and prevent further progression of occupational hearing loss

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QuietDose Research

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• Mean Hearing Threshold (2k, 3k, 4kHz): 2000 – 2007 (N = 46)

• Employees using continuous in-ear dosimetry starting in 2005

Mean hearing threshold (2,3, and 4 kHz) Employees using continuous ESP starting in 2005

2000 - 2007 (N=46)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year of test

Mean

HTL

3,4,6

kHz

ESP Introduced trend line

Reducing Costs + ClaimsQuietDose Research

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Preventive Action After NIHLIn practice, an OSHA-recordable STS is not a preventive action

It is documentation of a hearing loss after the fact.

How soon will an employee suffering NIHL be re-fit / re-trained ?

“Best case scenario” per Hearing Conservation Amendment

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Months

• Audiometric test • Retest • Notification

In-ear dosimetry “worst case” scenario …

1 Day

QuietDose

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Off-job + On-job = STSOff-job + On-job = STS

QuietDose

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In-ear dosimetry as a Problem Solver

• Employees with documented noise-induced hearing loss or Standard Threshold Shift [STS]

• Employees at-risk for NIHL

• Employee training + sampling

• Dual-protection/Extreme noise exposure

• Engineering controls

QuietDose

QuietDose Implementation

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• Measure actual noise dose

• Continuous, real-time monitoring

• Notification of pending over-dose of noise

• Stops NIHL

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• Expert support• No on-going costs• True PAR• Test any earplug,

anywhere• Worker involvement

creates self-efficacy• Built-in reliability checks

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Make Hearing Conservation Part of Your

Everyday Life

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Download today’s presentation at www.hearforever.org/dukeenergy

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Lagging Indicators vs. Leading Indicators

Solutions

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Indicators for Hearing Loss:• Standard Threshold Shift• Temporary Threshold Shift• Recordable Hearing Loss• Dosimetry• In-ear Dosimetry• Labeled NRR (derated?)• Personal Attenuation Level (PAR)

Solutions