Staying On Track With Hearing
Conservation
• Good Morning and
Welcome!
• Presented by:
Helene R. Freed, Ed.M.
Prevent Hearing
Loss:
Participate in
Hearing
Conservation
“Blindness separates you from
things, deafness separates you
from people.”
--Helen Keller
Hearing
Effects quality of life
Directly related to our ability to
communicate with loved ones
Allows us to interact with society
and nature.
To work and to play safely
PREVENTION!
IS the most effective approach to
the management of hearing loss
associated with chronic noise
exposure.
Some numbers
Loss from noise trauma.
30 Million are exposed to injurious levels of noise 10 Million Americans have
permanent, irreversible each day.
44% of carpenters and 48% of plumbers have perceived hearing loss.
49% of male, metal/nonmetal miners by age 50 have hearing loss vs. 9% of the
general population.
70% of metal and non metal miners will have hearing impairment by age 60.
(NIOSH)
90% of coal miners have hearing loss by age 52.
NOISE AND ACOUSTICS
Hazardous noise exposures occur
on the job
AND
off the job
How we hear
Acoustic energy
to mechanical energy
to hydraulic energy
to chemical exchange
to electrical impulse
Ear Anatomy
Healthy Hair cells
Hair cells after a history of noise exposure
Hearing Loss Due To
Noise Exposure Is …
Painless
Permanent
Progressive
… and very PREVENTABLE!
Components
Of A
Hearing
Conservation
Program
Noise Level Evaluation
Audiometric Testing
Hearing Protection
Record Keeping
Training
Written Program
Noise Level Evaluation
HOW LOUD IS IT???
Effects of Noise Exposure
When is Noise Too Loud?
• Noise is measured in units called
“decibels” or “dB”
• If two people 3 feet apart must shout to
be heard, the background noise is too loud
(above 85 decibels).
Noise Level
Evaluation
 Personal Sampling by Dosimetry
 80 / 90 dBA Criterion Level
 Engineering / Administrative Controls
 Formal Documentation
 Updating Your NLS… When?
 5 dB Doubling Effect
Remember This
When working with the Hearing Conservation Regulation
• Legal levels are minimum requirements and do
not protect all employees exposed to high levels
of noise in the work place.
– To protect ALL your employees you need to
EXCEED the minimum legal requirements.
If results are….
• <85dB No Action Required
• >85dB Minimum Legal Requirement
• 85dB
STS Mandatory HP
• 90dB
Mandatory for all
Exposure at these levels over a work life will produce the
following significant hearing losses.
• EPA
90dBA
85dBA
80dBA
22%
12%
5%
• NIOSH
90dBA
85dBA
80dBA
29%
15%
3%
5 dB Doubling Effect
Duration
TWA / dBA
Dose/PEL
85dB
50%
8 Hrs
90
100%
4 Hrs
95
100%
2 Hrs
100
100%
1 Hr
105
100%
1/2 Hr
110
100%
15 Min
115
100%
Remove the hazard
Remove the worker
Protect the worker
Audiometer and Test
Environment
The test environment must be controlled and
testing must be reliable
• Testing does not conserve hearing alone
• You need to know when how to counsel and educate
employees
• When to refit and adjust hearing protection
• When to recommend engineering and administration
controls
Engage All
Stakeholders
“Engage persons
having an investment
in what will be
learned ...and what
will be done with the
knowledge”
What is M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N?
• An inducement
• An emotion, desire, physiological need, or similar
impulse that acts as an incitement to action
• To stir to action or feeling
• To egg on, excite, goad, inspire, instigate, move,
pique, prick, prod, prompt, propel, provoke, set
off, spur, trigger
• ENCOURAGE
• CHEER ON
Purpose of Test
• Identify temporary hearing losses before
they become permanent
• To take remedial steps
Normal Hearing
250Hz
500Hz
1kHz
2kHz
3kHz
4kHz
6kHz
8Hz
Rising Audiogram
Unilateral
Sloping Audiogram
Protecting your hearing also protects you against:
Tinnitus:
Ringing or buzzing
25% have difficulty coping with tinnitus
It’s associated with disruption of sleep, stress and depression.
1 In 200 can’t lead a normal life.
Hyperacusis/Recruitment:
Abnormal reaction to loudness changes which often
accompanies SNHL
Phonophobia:Fear of noise that can accompany
hyperacusis accompany
Occupational Noise isn’t our only concern.
Recreational Sports create
Dangerous Decibels
VUVUZELAS
113 dBA at 2
meters!
Once in a HCP, how long does an
employee have to go without being
exposed at 85dB to be removed from
the program?
Employees who have not been exposed
to noise = or >85dB for an entire year
following their last annual audiogram
may be removed from program.
STS Follow-Up
Employee may obtain a Retest within 30 days:
a. If shift is found to be temporary, no further follow-up is
necessary.
b. If shift is found to be PERSISTENT, or a retest is NOT
performed you must:
a. Notify In Writing
b. Retrain on proper fitting of hearing protection
c. Mandatory hearing protection >85 dBA
SUMMARIZE RESULTS
•
•
•
•
Look for trends in certain areas, depts.
STS should not exceed >10%population
Upon retest, show more TTS
Make HPD use and compliance part of the
contract of employment
– In writing
– With disciplinary action
Don’t make the mistake of thinking your job is
done if you simply provide hearing protection and
periodic hearing tests.
Train workers how to
recognize noise
hazards, utilize noise
controls, and use of
hearing protection.
Hearing Protection
 No Cost to the Employee
 Offer at least 2 types / Custom Plugs
 85dBA offered vs. 90 dBA mandatory
 Attenuation / NRR
Types of Hearing Protectors
Earplugs
– Single-Use
– Multiple-Use
– Detectable
Banded Protectors
– Banded Earplugs
– Canal Caps
Earmuffs
– Standard (Headband)
– Cap-Mounted
– Electronic
– Special Application
Make Hearing Protection
Mandatory at 85dBA
 New
Hires
 STS
 Save More Hearing. Halve Their Exposure
 Reduces Risk of Hearing loss From 25% to 8%
Make this a policy of employment!
NOISE LEVEL
EVALUATION
AUDIOMETRIC TESTING
TRAINING
HEARING PROTECTION
RECORD KEEPING
***WRITTEN
PROGRAM***
AUDIOMETRIC TESTING
1.
All employees assigned to AREA A will receive baseline
audiogram within six months of first high noise exposure
and mandatory hearing protection.
2.
Audiograms will be given annually and compared to
baseline to determine if a STS has occurred.
3.
Mandatory Hearing Protection is required in the
following areas:
TYPES OF HEARING
PROTECTION
• EAR PLUGS / NRR
• EAR MUFFS / NRR