#18
HEARING
PROTECTION
TOP 20 SAFETY HAZARDS
OSHA STANDARDS

1926.101(a) Wherever it is not feasible to
reduce the noise levels or duration of
exposures to those specified in Table D-2,
Permissible Noise Exposures, in 1926.52, ear
protective devices shall be provided and
used.1926.101(b) Ear protective devices
inserted in the ear shall be fitted or
determined individually by competent
persons.1926.101(c) Plain cotton is not an
acceptable protective device.
PROTECTION…


With over 200 models to
choose from you can find a
protector you like.
They cover a wide variety of
needs from shooting to
sleeping. When you find that
ordinary ear plugs just do not
work because they fall out,
hurt, or simply don't block
enough noise, then consider
full custom earplugs
When is it required???


There are regulations that state when hearing
protection is mandatory; however, a good rule
of thumb is that hearing protection should be
used if you have to shout at someone
standing 3 feet away from you to be heard
over the noise.
The two most frequent problems encountered
are people not wearing the hearing protection
when it is required or not wearing it correctly.
Learn More About Hearing Loss
Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/abouthlp/noise
meter_flash/soundMeter_flash.html

Play around with the NIOSH’s Noise Meter and hear
the different sounds and sound intensities of everyday
objects. The red bar on the next slide shows how long
it takes before a particular sound level becomes
dangerous to the human ear. For example, a chain
saw has a sound intensity of about 110 dB. Without
proper hearing protection, running a chain saw for
only 2 minutes can become dangerous to the human
ear!
NIOSH’s NOISE METER….
Do You Know?


Ten million Americans have already suffered
irreversible damage from noise, and thirty
million more are exposed to dangerous levels
of noise each day.
The good news? Noise-induced hearing loss
is 100 percent preventable.
Protect Your Ears











150 Firecracker
120 Ambulance siren
110 Chain saw, Rock
concert
105 Personal stereo system
at maximum level
100 Wood shop,
Snowmobile
95 Motorcycle
90 Power mower
85 Heavy city traffic
60 Normal conversation
40 Refrigerator humming
30 Whispered voice







Know which noises can
cause damage. Wear ear
plugs when you are
involved in a loud activity.
110 Decibels
Regular exposure of more
than 1 minute risks
permanent hearing loss.
100 Decibels
No more than 15 minutes
of unprotected exposure
recommended.
85 Decibels
Prolonged exposure to
any noise at or above 85
decibels can cause
gradual hearing loss.
THE EAR




The shape of the ear canal
can affect how well earplugs
fit.
The damage from exposure
occurs in the inner ear
When all the hair cells are
damaged, complete
deafness occurs
People who say they are
“used to the noise” often
have already lost some of
their hearing.
THE EAR…. I





Tiny hair cells inside the ear
are moved by sound waves
Loud noise knocks the hair
cells over
Eventually they never recover,
resulting in hearing loss
If exposure is short, the hair
cells raise back up
As you get older you suffer
some natural hearing loss
EFFECTS OF NOISE EXPOSURE



Often the first
noticeable effect is
difficulty in hearing
speech.
Our ears can recover
from short exposure to
loud noise.
There’s no such thing
as “tough ears” or
“getting used to it”
HEARING PROTECTION


THERE ARE 3 TYPESEAR MUFFS,
EARPLUGS & EAR
CAPS.
EAR MUFFS & EAR
PLUGS PROVIDE
ABOUT EQUAL
PROTECTION, EAR
CAPS SOMEWHAT
LESS.
HEARING PROTECTION



All are designed to
reduce the intensity
(loudness) of noise.
All 3 types have
advantages &
disadvantages &
people vary on which
they prefer to use.
Wads of cotton or cloth
are not acceptable as
hearing protectors.
HEARING PROTECTION





Plugs are made of foam, rubber or plastic &
are either one-size-fits-all or in sizes small,
medium & large.
Some are disposable, some are reusable.
They’re lightweight & require no
maintenance & rarely cause infection or
irritation
Custom-molded earplugs provide maximum
comfort.
Some people find plugs uncomfortable to
wear for long periods at first.
HEARING PROTECTION




HEARING AIDS ARE NOT HEARING
PROTECTION
Hearing aids do not block out enough
sound for most workplace noise
Some hearing aids can increase the
noise level at the ear.
Just turning off the hearing aids will
not prevent further hearing loss
from noise exposure.
HEARING PROTECTION





Muffs can be uncomfortable in hot weather.
Muffs don’t seal well for someone w/glasses
or heavy sideburns.
Position of the head band will also
affect how well the muff is sealed.
The highest protection is on top
of the head.
Some earmuffs are made w/bands
that can fit behind the neck or under the chin.
HEARING PROTECTION



It takes just a few minutes of
unprotected exposure at noise
above 115 decibels to risk
hearing damage.
Earplugs not well inserted into
the canal will not provide
complete protection.
Likewise, earmuffs not snug &
covering the ear completely will
“leak” noise into the ear.
HEARING PROTECTION



The “noise reduction rating” or “NRR” of
hearing protection is
measured in decibels.
The NRR is found on the
earmuff/earplug package.
The higher the number,
the greater the protection.
The actual effective protection is 7 decibels
less than rating on package.
NOISE PROTECTION



PORTABLE RADIOS/CD PLAYERS
“Walkmans” do not provide
protection from noise.
The earphones are not
earmuffs & the music only
adds to other background
noise.
“Walkmans” can exceed
85 decibels by themselves.
THE 6 MOST COMMON BAD
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT HEARING
PROTECTION…..
1.
Hearing protection is self-explanatory
Little to no training is provided on most sites. The most
effective training is one on one training.
2.
“Just put it in” in regards to earplugs. It’s
a simple 3 step process: roll, pull, hold.
3.
Any earplug in the ear is blocking some
noise. An earplug just sitting in the bowl of the ear,
without sealing the ear canal, is simply nice ear décor.
Poorly fit earplugs actually increase the noise level by
a few decibels (similar to cupping your hand around
your ear to hear better).
THE 6 MOST COMMON BAD
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT HEARING
PROTECTION…..
4.
An earplug halfway in the ear blocks half the
noise. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. A half fit earplug
is often providing 0 dB’s of attenuation.
5.
To hear critical sounds, remove earplugs
halfway. Any small channel or leak allows noise to enter &
the protection quickly deteriorates from “all” to “none”. How do
you protect the worker who may not need 30dBs of protection?
Use hearing protectors w/lower NRRs. When used properly,
lower dBs earplugs will provide protection w/out sacrificing
communication ability.
THE 6 MOST COMMON BAD
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT HEARING
PROTECTION…..
6. There is no way to let good sound in and
keep bad sound out. There are hearing
protectors on the market that are more speech-friendly
than others.
1.
2 TIPS IN CLOSING……
A VISUAL CUE TO PROPERLY
FIT AN EARPLUG: When viewing
yourself in the mirror straight ahead (or
when looking at a co-worker face-to-face)
a poorly fit earplug is clearly visible
protruding from the ear canal, while a
properly fit earplug is hardly visible.
2 TIPS IN CLOSING……
2. EASILY
PERFORMED SELF-
TEST:
Prior to inserting your earplugs, press the
palms of your hands lightly against your
ears, and say some words out loud. Your
own voice sounds louder & deeper when
your ears are covered. Now insert your
earplugs, & repeat that voice check. If the
earplugs are properly fit, there will be very
little difference in the sound of your voice.
EXERCISE TO DO TODAY….


SET YOUR CAR RADIO
TO A COMFORTABLE
LEVEL (OR YOUR
NORMAL LEVEL)
WHEN YOUR DRIVING
HOME TONIGHT…..
SEE IF YOU STILL
CONSIDER THAT
COMFORTABLE WHEN
YOU GET IN THE CAR
IN THE MORNING….