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