Hearing Conservation

Effects of noise v Causes hearing loss v Amount of damage depends upon the intensity of the noise and duration of exposure v Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent 1a

Effects of noise v Prolonged exposure generally causes permanent damage v Noise-induced permanent threshold shift is not reversible/cannot be medically treated 1b

Effects of noise v Noise-induced hearing loss typically starts with hearing threshold shifts in the higher frequencies v The type of hearing loss can be identified and measured with audiometric examination 1c

Noise hazards v Noise is unwanted/unpleasant sound that may have a negative effect depending on: loudness/frequencyloudness/frequency duration of exposureduration of exposure how old/healthy person ishow old/healthy person is 2a

Noise hazards v Sound is measured by: frequencyfrequency intensityintensity 2b

Noise hazards v Noise types include: wide bandwide band narrow bandnarrow band impulseimpulse 2c

Noise hazards v Hearing protection must be provided when noise exceeds an eight-hour time-weighted average of 85db

Noise hazards can cause: v Drowsiness and irritability v Inability to hear important instructions v High blood pressure, ulcers, headaches 2d

Noise hazards can cause: v Sleeping disorders v Temporary or permanent hearing loss 2e

Engineering controls v Isolate noisy machinery in a separate area v Place machinery on rubber mountings v Use sound-absorbing acoustical tiles 3a

Engineering controls v Arrange work schedules to reduce employee exposure to noise v Inform supervisors of unpleasant/unacceptable noise levels 3b

Hearing protection v Factors taken into account when selecting hearing protection devices include: noise hazardsnoise hazards noise frequenciesnoise frequencies fit and comfortfit and comfort noise reduction ratingnoise reduction rating 4a

Purpose/procedure for audiometric testing v Checks a person’s hearing v Trained technician uses an audiometer to send sounds through headphones 5a

Purpose/procedure for audiometric testing v Person being tested responds to the sounds when they are first heard v Chart records responses 5b

Hearing protection makes common sense v You are ultimately responsible for your own hearing v You have the most to lose if you suffer hearing loss v Make sure earplugs fit properly 6a

Hearing protection makes common sense v Have an annual hearing test v Keep hearing protection devices in good operation 6b

Hearing protection makes common sense v Don’t use homemade hearing protection devices v Wear hearing protection devices at work as required 6c