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HEARING CONSERVATION TRAINING. Protecting Employees from Hearing Hazards. Effects of Noise. Causes hearing loss Amount of damage depends upon the intensity of the noise and duration of exposure Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. 1a. Effects of Noise.
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Effects of Noise • Causes hearing loss • Amount of damage depends upon the intensity of the noise and duration of exposure • Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent 1a
Effects of Noise Prolonged exposure generally causes permanent damage Noise-induced permanent threshold shift is not reversible/cannot be medically treated 1b
Effects of Noise Noise-induced hearing loss typically starts with hearing threshold shifts in the higher frequencies The type of hearing loss can be identified and measured with audiometric examination 1c
Noise Hazards • Noise is unwanted/unpleasant sound that may have a negative effect depending on: • loudness/frequency • duration of exposure • how old/healthy person is 2a
Noise Hazards • Sound is measured by: • frequency • intensity • Noise types include: • wide band • narrow band • impulse 2b
Noise Hazards Hearing protection must be provided when noise equals or exceeds an eight-hour time-weighted average of 85dB 2c
Noise Hazards Can Cause Sleeping disorders Temporary or permanent hearing loss 2e
Noise Hazards Can Cause Drowsiness and irritability Inability to hear important instructions High blood pressure, ulcers, headaches 2d
Control Measures Isolate noisy machinery in a separate area Place machinery on rubber mountings Use sound-absorbing acoustical tiles 3a
Control Measures Arrange work schedules to reduce employee exposure to noise Inform supervisors of unpleasant/unacceptable noise levels 3b
Hearing Protection • Factors taken into account when selecting hearing protection devices include: • noise hazards • noise frequencies • fit and comfort • noise reduction • rating 4a
Purpose/Procedure For Audiometric Testing Checks a person’s hearing Trained technician uses an audiometer to send sounds through headphones 5a
Purpose/Procedure For Audiometric Testing Person being tested responds to the sounds when they are first heard Chart records responses 5b
Hearing Protection Makes Common Sense You are ultimately responsible for your own hearing You have the most to lose if you suffer hearing loss Make sure earplugs fit properly 6a
Hearing Protection Makes Common Sense Have an annual hearing test Keep hearing protection devices in good operation 6b
Hearing Protection Makes Common Sense Don’t use homemade hearing protection devices Wear hearing protection devices at work as required 6c