Hearing Safety

Protect Your Hearing

Imagine your life without sound

Hearing problems affect every aspect of life

15 million Americans have hearing loss

Once you lose your hearing, you will never get it back

Most people are unaware of the damage until it is too late

Damage From Hearing Loss

First signs of hearing loss are:– Trouble understanding telephone calls– Missing words in general conversation

Hearing loss causes:– Other people’s speech to sound distorted– Constant ringing or roaring in your head– Friends and family to become frustrated

having conversations with you

How Your Ears Work

Tiny hair-like cells in your ear help the brain interpret sound

Loud noises damage these cells

Damaged cells can not send massages to the brain, causing hearing loss

When Is Noise Harmful?

Loudness is measured in decibels– Normal conversation - 60 decibels– Busy traffic - 75 decibels– Woodshop noise - 100 decibels– Chainsaw - 110 decibels

Hearing can be damaged if exposed to:– 85 decibels for an average of 8 hours– 140 decibels for any period of time

Personal Hearing Protection Devices

Earmuffs, canal caps and ear plugs help prevent hearing loss

Personal hearing protection devices:– Are required if exposed to 85 decibels

for more for 8 hours

– Will not impact ability to hear warning signs in workplace

– Are required, even if you already have hearing loss

Disposable Earplugs

Expand and conform to the shape of your ear canal

Clean hands before handling

After insertion, test effectiveness

Your eardrum is safe

Reusable Earplugs

Premolded to the shape of the ear canal

Reusable, washable and come in many sizes

Must fit snugly to work correctly

Clean before every shift

If they become hard or discolored, replace them

Canal Caps

Look like ear plugs on a metal or plastic band

Convenient when exposed to loud noises for short periods of time

Be careful not to forget about the dangerous noise in your workplace

Earmuffs

Covers your whole ear with cushions

Fits most ears

Effectiveness depends on air tight seal

Not good protection if you have a beard or glasses

Know the Early Signs of Hearing Damage

You should be able to talk to someone standing in front of you without shouting

Inform your supervisor if:– There is a steady ringing in your ear – Your ears constantly feel plugged– You hear a whooshing sound

Be aware of loud noises, even when wearing hearing protection

Noise Measuring Equipment

Sound level meters provide you with a quick reading to determine if your hearing is at risk

Noise dosimeters provide you with an average of the noise level during your shift

Ear Evaluations

Audiograms required within 6 months of exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels

Hearing monitored with yearly audiograms

If hearing deteriorates, you will be fitted with new hearing protection

Summary

Hearing loss never comes back

Caused by exposure to:– 85 decibels averaged over 8 hours

– 140 decibels for any period of time

Use earmuffs, earplugs or canal caps

Look for early signs

Audiograms identify early hearing loss