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Preserving the Precious Sense of HearingAASHTO 2014Seattle, WACorey LaneIndustrial Hygiene Program ManagerWSDOT360-705-7793 lanec@wsdot.wa.govNoise HazardsSound is measured in units called decibels. The higher the number, the noisier it is.

If exposed above 85 decibels for long periods of time for many years, you can loose hearing.

The louder and/or longer the noise exposure, the higher the risk of hearing loss.

3How Does Noise Cause Hearing Loss?Very loud sound (>140 - 160 dB) creates immediate physical damage, tearing of delicate tissues. Acute trauma happens immediately.

Chronic exposure to moderately loud noise creates metabolic exhaustion typically takes years or decades.Reduction in blood flow Neurotransmitter (glutamate) accumulates to toxic concentrationsCalcium balances changeEconomic Burden of Hearing LossOccupational hearing loss costs a estimated $242.4 million per year in disability alone in the U.S.

This figure does not include medical costs or personal costs which can include approximately $1,500 for a hearing aid and around $300 per year for batteries.

Through their hearing conservation program, the U.S. Army saved $504.3 million by reducing hearing loss among combat arms personnel between 1974 and 1994. The Department of Veterans Affairs saved $220.8 million and the Army an additional $149 million by reducing civilian hearing loss between 1987 and 1997.

4Washington State Compensation 5

6The Ear

Any questions?Hair CellsThis is your inner earThis is your inner ear on noiseNormal hair cellsDamaged hair cells

6 The tiny hair cells in this part of the ear are flatten out when exposed to high noise levels. If the exposure is short, the hair cells raise back up. If the exposure is long or extremely loud, the hair cells dont recover and hearing ability is reduced. When all the hair cells are damaged, complete deafness occurs.7WordsFillCatchThumbKneeWiseBathFishShowsBedJuice8Costs of Hearing Loss for the Employee Helen Keller Quote: Blindness separates you from things; deafness separates you from people.Do Employees Get the Protection They Need? 9

Does Each Employee Get Stated Protection on Box?It is an average

Ideal laboratory conditions

Small test population

Proposal for new/better rating system (in committee)1011Lab determined vs. the amount of protection obtained in real-world

Ensuring Employees Get the Protection They Need 12

Range of Individual Protection 13

How much protection are your employees obtaining? If you have a loved one in noisy conditions, are they getting the protection they need? 13Range of Individual Protection

Where are your employees on the chart?1415Contact InformationCorey LaneWSDOT Industrial Hygiene Program Manager360-705-7793lanec@wsdot.wa.govFree Earplug FitCheckI look forward to meeting you and checking the amount of protection you obtain

In the lobby (unless its somewhere else)

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