Staying On Track With Hearing Conservation Good Morning and Welcome! Presented by: Helene R. Freed, Ed.M.

Staying On Track With Hearing Conservation

• Good Morning and Welcome!

• Presented by:

Helene R. Freed, Ed.M.

Prevent Hearing Loss:

Participate in Hearing

Conservation

“Blindness separates you from things, deafness separates you from people.”

--Helen Keller

Hearing

Effects quality of life

Directly related to our ability to communicate with loved ones

Allows us to interact with societyand nature.

To work and to play safely

PREVENTION!

IS the most effective approach to the management of hearing loss associated with chronic noise

exposure.

Some numbers

Loss from noise trauma.

30 Million are exposed to injurious levels of noise 10 Million Americans have permanent, irreversible each day.

44% of carpenters and 48% of plumbers have perceived hearing loss.

49% of male, metal/nonmetal miners by age 50 have hearing loss vs. 9% of the general population.

70% of metal and non metal miners will have hearing impairment by age 60. (NIOSH)

90% of coal miners have hearing loss by age 52.

AND off the job

NOISE AND ACOUSTICS

Hazardous noise exposures occur

on the job

How we hear

Acoustic energy

to mechanical energy

to hydraulic energy

to chemical exchange

to electrical impulse

Ear Anatomy

Healthy Hair cells

.

Hair cells after a history of noise exposure

Hearing Loss Due To Noise Exposure Is …

PainlessPermanentProgressive

… and very PREVENTABLE!

Components

Of A

Hearing Conservation

Program

Noise Level Evaluation

Audiometric Testing

Hearing Protection

Record Keeping

Training

Written Program

Noise Level Evaluation

HOW LOUD IS IT???

Effects of Noise Exposure

When is Noise Too Loud?

• Noise is measured in units called “decibels” or “dB”

• If two people 3 feet apart must shout to be heard, the background noise is too loud (above 85 decibels).

Personal Sampling by Dosimetry 80 / 90 dBA Criterion Level Engineering / Administrative Controls Formal Documentation Updating Your NLS… When? 5 dB Doubling Effect

Noise Level Evaluation

Remember This When working with the Hearing Conservation Regulation

• Legal levels are minimum requirements and do not protect all employees exposed to high levels of noise in the work place.

– To protect ALL your employees you need to

EXCEED the minimum legal requirements.

If results are….

• <85dB No Action Required

• >85dB Minimum Legal Requirement

• 85dB STS Mandatory HP

• 90dB Mandatory for all

Exposure at these levels over a work life will produce the following significant hearing losses.

• EPA 90dBA 22%

85dBA 12%

80dBA 5%

• NIOSH 90dBA 29%

85dBA 15%

80dBA 3%

Duration TWA / dBA Dose/PEL

85dB 50%

8 Hrs 90 100%

4 Hrs 95 100%

2 Hrs 100 100%

1 Hr 105 100%

1/2 Hr 110 100%

15 Min 115 100%

5 dB Doubling Effect

Remove the hazard

Remove the worker

Protect the worker

Audiometer and Test Environment

The test environment must be controlled and testing must be reliable

• Testing does not conserve hearing alone• You need to know when how to counsel and

educate employees• When to refit and adjust hearing protection• When to recommend engineering and

administration controls

Engage All Stakeholders

“Engage persons having an investment

in what will be learned ...and what

will be done with the knowledge”

What is M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N?

• An inducement

• An emotion, desire, physiological need, or similar impulse that acts as an incitement to action

• To stir to action or feeling

• To egg on, excite, goad, inspire, instigate, move, pique, prick, prod, prompt, propel, provoke, set off, spur, trigger

• ENCOURAGE

• CHEER ON

Purpose of Test

• Identify temporary hearing losses before they become permanent

• To take remedial steps

Normal Hearing 250Hz 500Hz 1kHz 2kHz 3kHz 4kHz 6kHz 8Hz

Rising Audiogram

Unilateral

Sloping Audiogram

Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing 25% have difficulty coping with tinnitus It’s associated with disruption of sleep, stress and depression. 1 In 200 can’t lead a normal life.

Hyperacusis/Recruitment:Abnormal reaction to loudness changes which often accompanies SNHL

Phonophobia:Fear of noise that can accompany hyperacusis accompany

Protecting your hearing also protects you against:

Occupational Noise isn’t our only concern.

Recreational Sports create Dangerous Decibels

VUVUZELAS

113 dBA at 2 meters!

Once in a HCP, how long does an employee have to go without being

exposed at 85dB to be removed from the program?

Employees who have not been exposed to noise = or >85dB for an entire year following their last annual audiogram

may be removed from program.

STS Follow-Up

Employee may obtain a Retest within 30 days:

a. If shift is found to be temporary, no further follow-up is necessary.

a. Notify In Writing

b. Retrain on proper fitting of hearing protection

c. Mandatory hearing protection >85 dBA

b. If shift is found to be PERSISTENT, or a retest is NOT performed you must:

SUMMARIZE RESULTS

• Look for trends in certain areas, depts.

• STS should not exceed >10%population

• Upon retest, show more TTS

• Make HPD use and compliance part of the contract of employment– In writing– With disciplinary action

Don’t make the mistake of thinking your job is done if you simply provide hearing protection and

periodic hearing tests.

Train workers how to recognize noise

hazards, utilize noise controls, and use of hearing protection.

Hearing Protection

No Cost to the Employee Offer at least 2 types / Custom Plugs 85dBA offered vs. 90 dBA mandatory Attenuation / NRR

Types of Hearing Protectors

Earplugs– Single-Use– Multiple-Use– Detectable

Banded Protectors– Banded Earplugs– Canal Caps

Earmuffs– Standard (Headband)– Cap-Mounted– Electronic– Special Application

Make Hearing Protection Mandatory at 85dBA

New Hires

STS

Save More Hearing. Halve Their Exposure

Reduces Risk of Hearing loss From 25% to 8%

Make this a policy of employment!

NOISE LEVEL EVALUATION

AUDIOMETRIC TESTING

TRAINING

HEARING PROTECTION

RECORD KEEPING

***WRITTEN PROGRAM***

AUDIOMETRIC TESTING

1. All employees assigned to AREA A will receive baseline audiogram within six months of first high noise exposure and mandatory hearing protection.

2. Audiograms will be given annually and compared to baseline to determine if a STS has occurred.

3. Mandatory Hearing Protection is required in the following areas:

TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION

• EAR PLUGS / NRR

• EAR MUFFS / NRR