1. Hearing Conservation Noise Exposure Standard 29 CFR 1910.95
Facilities Management
By: Chaizong Lor, Safety Coordinator

2. Hearing Conservation Training Objectives:
Provision of Noise Information
Hearing Safety
Explain how hearing loss occurs
Categories of Hearing Loss
Hearing Prevention Methods
The Noise Reduction Rating
Noise Hazard Signs
FP&M Hearing Conservation Program
Summary

3. Provision of Noise Information
What is Noise?
A sound that is unwanted
because of:
Intensity
Frequency
Duration
Sound is produced by vibrating objects and reaches a person’s ears as waves in the air or other media.
A vibration in the air transmitted by the eardrum and bones of the middle ear to the inner ear.
Noise means different things to different people. One person says is music but other person says is noise. We are exposed to noise at work, home and in traffic. If it get loud enough, it can cause problem.
Unwanted Sound: Characterized by the intensity, frequency, continuous and duration of sound.
Sound: The result of pressure changes in the air caused by vibration.

4. Jack-Hammer, Rock Concert Car Stereo, Band Practice
Noise Risk Factors Intensity: The loudness of sound, or the pressure it exerts through the ear.
Noise Levels:
Jet Take - Off
Most
Severe
Gun Shot
150
150
140
130
120
110
100 90 80 70 60
140
Jack-Hammer, Rock Concert
130
Car Stereo, Band Practice
120
Dance Clubs, Headphones
110
Factory
100
Subway
Intensity: The loudness of sound, or the pressure it exerts through the ear.
Action Level (85dBA): If you are exposed to an average of 85 decibels for 8 hours your are being exposed to noise levels that could damage your hearing.
Busy Street 90 80
Restaurant 70
Normal Speech 60
Decibels
Action Level
(85 dBA)
Least
Severe

5. Provision of Noise Information
Noise Risk Factors Cont.
Frequency
Frequency is the number of sound waves (high and low pressure areas) produced by a noise source passing a given point per second.
Duration
The amount of time you are exposed to a sound level.
Continuous such as:
Music, grinders, engine running
Impulse
It should not exceed 140 dBA peak sound pressure level as measured by an impulsive type sound level meter.
Example, Pneumatic tools, punch press, gun shots, firecracker are more damaging
Frequency: The number of times per second that a vibrating body completes one cycle of motion.
The unit for frequency is the hertz (Hz = 1 cycle per second)
The higher the pitch of the sound, the higher the frequency
Continuous – music, grinders, engineers running.
Impulse – Should not exceed 140 dBA peak sound pressure level as measured by an impulsive type sound level meter. Pneumatic tools, punch press, gun shots – more damaging.

6. Hearing Safety
If you have to shout at 3 feet in order to be understood you should be wearing hearing protection.
Off-the-job activities (woodworking, shooting, etc.) can hurt your hearing.
- Hearing protection is recommended.
Never remove hearing protection in high noise areas.
Do NOT share hearing protection with others.
How do you know when it is 85 or greater?

7. Explain how hearing loss occurs
Types of
Hearing Effects 3
Physiological Effects:
Psychological
Effects:
Interference
With Communication
It is noise-induced loss or aural pain,
nausea and reduced muscular control.
Physiological effects: Noise-induced hearing loss or aural pain, nausea and reduced muscular control.
Psychological effects: Such as depression and nervousness are a result of the ear's inability to adjust to sound (i.e. disrupt concentration of sleep).
Effects such as depression
and nervousness are a result
of the ear’s inability to
adjust to sound (i.e. disrupt
concentration of sleep).
Not being able to communicate
well with others can cause
arguments, depression,
loneliness, and a sense of
helplessness.

8. Explain how hearing loss occurs
Inner Ear
Outer Ear
Middle Ear
Outer
Ear
Inner
Middle
Human ear
has 3 Parts
The outer ear or pinna, funnels sound waves into the ear canal, which will lead to the eardrum. It will catch dirt and particles in the canal that contains cerumen or wax.
Ear Consists of three parts:
Outer ear: the visible outer portion of the ear and ear canal
Middle ear: the eardrum and three tiny bones
Inner ear: the fluid-filled cochlea, which contains thousands of tiny sound receptors called hair cells
Irreversible: The loss of future options
Has three tiny bones and ear drum which can rupture from sudden high sound pressure level.
Has cochlea with tiny hair cells connected to nerves. It signals the brain, which lets you know what sound you heard. Damage is irreversible.

9. Categories of Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss:
Occurs when the sound vibration from the outer and middle ear is unable to stimulate the inner ear, due to some form of interference but the inner ear functions normally.
The outer ear is generally susceptible to physical damage or infection.
Possible causes of a conductive loss include:
A build-up of fluid in the middle ear.
Wax in the ear canal.
Puncturing of the eardrum.
Conductive Hearing loss:
Outer Ear – e.g. Wax build-up in the auditory canal.
Middle Ear – Fluid build-up in the middle ear due to infection
Note: It results in a decrease in your hearing, but you can still understand speech.
The problem lies between the outer ear and middle ear.
Most conductive hearing losses can be corrected medically.

10. Categories of Hearing Loss Cont.
Sensory Hearing loss:
Damage to or a malfunction of the inner ear, auditory nerve, or the brain.
The causes of Sensory Hearing loss:
Genetic Disorders.
The natural aging process.
Exposure to loud noises.
Infection or other disease.
Genetic Disorder: Genetic (inherited) disorders interfere with the proper development of the inner ear and the auditory nerve.
How it effects us depend on age, health, frequency of sound, length of exposure.

11. Categories of Hearing Loss Cont.
Aging
Presbycusis:
The gradual loss of hearing due to increasing age.
Two theories of Presbycusis:
Caused by changes of blood supply to the inner ear that decreases with age.
Cumulative effect of noise exposure.
Exposure to Noise
Prolonged exposure to loud noise can also destroy the sensitive hair cells of the cochlea.
Brief exposure to loud noises (85 dBA or louder) can also cause a temporary damage.
Presbycusis: Loss of sensitivity to high frequencies. Most of us will experience some decline in auditory sensitivity with age. On average, age related decline in function is not detectable prior to age 65.
Symptoms of Presbycusis: The speech of others seems mumbled or slurred, tinnitus (ringing, roaring, hissing sound in one or both ears.
Changes in the vasculature: Blood supply to the inner ear decreases with age.

12. Categories of Hearing Loss Cont.
Symptoms of Over Exposure
Do Not ignore these symptoms:
Dullness in hearing.
Ringing in the ear (Tinnitus).
Difficulty hearing a conversation against a noisy background.
Other Dangers of Noise:
Increased Fatigue, errors.
Increased Stress and/or irritability.
Elevated Blood Pressure.
Decreased Productivity.
Ringing: - Losing sleep due to tinnitus.
Tinnitus: - The most common cause is exposure to noise. It accompanied by dizziness, nausea, pressure in the ear, and distorted hearing.

13. Hearing Prevention Methods
Engineering Controls
Enclosure
Provide an easy, secure and effective way to isolate noisy machines.
Sound barriers
Materials used to stop sound from a noisy machine or equipment.
Sound proof cabs
Better design of machinery & equipment, insulate the machinery to reduce the noise & isolate workers in soundproof booths.
Equipment and exhaust
Proper maintenance of equipment & exhaust prevents the extra noise of machine & dirty exhaust.
Engineering Controls:
Sound Barriers: Best if close to person or machine and depends on the frequency of the noise.
- are materials used to stop sound from leaving an area

14. Hearing Prevention Methods Cont.
Administrative Controls
Decreasing the exposure time
Limiting the amount of time a worker spends in a high noise area to less than 8 hours.
Limiting the number of personnel exposed
The number of employees working in the noisy area should be limited to the absolute minimum.
Arranging a work roster system
A roster system could be arranged when employees are not working in the same areas everyday.
Administrative Controls:
Limiting the amount of time a worker spend in a high noise area.
The amount of time the employee is exposed to high noise levels without regard for hearing protection should be decreased to less than 8 hours.
The number of employees working in the noisy area should be limited to the absolute minimum.
A roster system could be arranged where employees are not working in the same areas everyday.

15. Hearing Prevention Methods Cont.
Hearing Protectors “Earplugs”
Description
These devices fit into the ear canal between the outer and middle ear and block the sound from reaching the sensitive inner ear.
Made of foam material that is rolled and inserted, expands to fit snugly.
How to fit and wear
Wash hands, roll and compress into a cylinder. Reach one hand around the back of the head and pull ear up and out. Insert into the ear canal. Hold in place until it begins to expand and excludes noise.
Hearing Protection:
Earplugs are available as preformed inserts made of rubber, plastic or foam and hand-formed inserts of disposable materials
Before inserting a form earplugs: Stretch it out, roll it into cylinder and leave the shape alone

16. Hearing Prevention Methods Cont.
Earplugs
Care
Inspect before insertion and discard if damaged or dirty.
Advantages
Small, inexpensive, portable, comfortable in warm weather, disposable, can hear others speaking.
Disadvantages
Requires a good fit, cannot be inserted with dirty hands, cannot be worn with ear infections, might become loose over time.

17. Hearing Prevention Methods Cont.
Hearing Protectors “Ear-band”
Description
Over the head, in front the neck and behind the neck.
Advantages
Soft pieces pressed against ear canal by spring-loaded band.
More convenient than earmuffs.
Can provide adequate protection.
Flexible tips.
Do not extend into the ear canal.
Only cover canal opening.
Disadvantages
May become uncomfortable over time.
Soft pieces are bulky for some employees.
Cannot be inserted with dirty hands.
Earband: Over the head, in front the neck and behind the neck.

18. Hearing Prevention Methods Cont.
Hearing Protectors “Earmuffs”
Description
This style protector consists of cups which fit over the entire outer ear to help seal out noise. May be connected to the hard hat or held together by a head band.
How to fit and wear
Cushioned caps connected by a spring loaded headband.
Adjust the headband to ensure that the seals are in complete contact with the head. Ensure the ear cup fits over the entire outer ear.

19. Hearing Prevention Methods Cont.
Earmuffs
Care
Wipe cushions when they become soiled. Replace if stiff, worn, cut or torn.
Advantages
Can be worn with ear plugs for extreme noise exposure. Reduction of approximately dBA. Easy to put on and remove. Can be worn despite ear infections.
Disadvantages
Bulky and can be uncomfortable in warm weather.

20. Proper Use of Hearing Protection
Earplugs must be properly inserted
Roll the earplug up into a small, thin "snake" with your fingers You can use one/both hands.
Pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite hand to straighten out your ear canal. The rolled-up earplug should slide right in.
Hold the earplug gently in with your fingertip for one minute until the form expands and has made a good seal.

21. The Noise Reduction Rating
The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a rating given to hearing protection devices.
The NRR is used to estimate how well the device reduces noise, the higher the number the greater the noise reduction.

22. The Noise Reduction Rating Cont.
Determine “real life” NRR according to OSHA:
Lmeasured – (NRR - 7 dB) = LHPD
For example, your ear plugs have an NRR of 25 and you are exposed to 95 dB, so:
95 – (25 - 7) = 77 dB
So if you wear hearing protection as directed, 100% of the time during noisy work, your exposure will decrease from 95 dB to 77 dB.

23. Noise Hazard Signs
Used when engineering controls do not work, or are not feasible.
Use Yellow and Black signs to mark hazards.
Large signs for entire areas.
Small stickers for individual equipment.
Post areas as Hearing Protection Required if sound levels at or above 90dBA.

24. FM Hearing Conservation Program
Program requirement:
Protect workers from risks to their hearing caused by noise.
Prevent hearing loss and deafness as a result of exposure to noise at work.
Identify noise problems and if noise levels are above 85dB(A), measurements must be taken and assessed by a competent person.
General duty to reduce the level of noise exposure by engineering or administrative means.

25. FM HCP Cont. Program Requirement If noise level is above 85dB(A):
Inform employees of the noise levels present and measures taken to reduce exposure.
Make ear protection available and provide training in its use
Hearing checks must be made available to employees exposed to noise levels in excess of 85dB(A) over an 8 hour TWA.
employees exposed over the permissible exposure limit of 90 dB over an 8-hour TWA.

26. Summary
Be able to recognize the potential hazards of noise and its symptoms.
Be able to use noise control methods such as Engineering Control, Administrative Control, and PPE to avoid exposure to noise
Wear hearing protection properly
Proper fit to ensure protection
Must maintain a good seal
Readjust as necessary
Hearing is one of your basic human senses and must be protected. Unwanted or unpleasant levels of sounds is called noise and can damage your ability to hear. Potentially damaging noise can be found both on and off the job and you must protect yourself in both situations.
Protect you hearing, once its gone it cannot be replaced.

27. Revision Dated: September 15th, 2014
Any Questions ??
Please visit FM Website (
for additional information.
Revision Dated: September 15th, 2014