02 Aug Hearing Protection – Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow

Hearing Protection – Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow

Noise-induced hearing loss can occur so gradually that employees may not realize their hearing is being damaged until the loss is permanent. Unlike many workplace injuries, noise-induced hearing loss cannot be reversed. The best protection is to recognize hazardous noise and control exposure before damage occurs.

A single extremely loud event, such as an explosion, can cause immediate hearing damage, but most occupational hearing loss develops after repeated exposure to excessive noise over time.

Recognizing Excessive Noise

Workplace noise may come from heavy equipment, machinery, vehicles, generators, compressors, saws, grinders, pneumatic tools, and other operations.

Possible warning signs of excessive noise include:

• Having to raise your voice to communicate with someone nearby.
• Difficulty understanding normal conversation in the work area.
• Sounds or speech seeming muffled after leaving a noisy area.
• Ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears after noise exposure.
• Temporary difficulty hearing following a work shift.

These signs may indicate excessive exposure, but they are not substitutes for proper noise monitoring.

Controlling Noise Exposure

The preferred approach is to eliminate or reduce hazardous noise before relying on hearing protection. Controls may include:

• Selecting quieter tools, equipment, and machinery.
• Installing barriers, enclosures, mufflers, or sound-absorbing materials.
• Maintaining and lubricating equipment to reduce unnecessary noise.
• Increasing the distance between employees and noise sources.
• Isolating noisy operations where practical.
• Limiting the amount of time employees spend in high-noise areas.

When engineering and administrative controls do not adequately reduce exposure, appropriate hearing protection must be used.

Hearing Protection Devices

Common hearing protection includes:

• Earplugs – Inserted into the ear canal and available in disposable, reusable, and custom-molded styles.
• Earmuffs – Fit over the entire outer ear and form a protective seal around it.
• Dual hearing protection – Earplugs and earmuffs worn together when required for particularly high noise exposures.

Hearing protection must be selected based on the employee’s noise exposure and provide sufficient attenuation without unnecessarily interfering with communication or warning signals.

Proper Use and Care

Hearing protection is effective only when it is worn and fitted correctly.

Employees shall:

• Wear required hearing protection whenever entering designated high-noise areas.
• Follow manufacturer instructions for fitting and use.
• Ensure earplugs are properly inserted and earmuffs form a complete seal around the ears.
• Keep reusable hearing protection clean and sanitary.
• Inspect hearing protection for damage or deterioration.
• Replace worn, damaged, hardened, or contaminated devices.
• Never modify hearing protection in a way that reduces its effectiveness.

Employees who have difficulty obtaining a proper fit should notify their supervisor.

Hearing Conservation Program

Under OSHA’s general industry requirements, employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA or greater must be included in a Hearing Conservation Program.

Depending on employee exposure, the program may include:

• Workplace noise monitoring.
• Audiometric hearing tests.
• Appropriate hearing protectors.
• Employee training.
• Evaluation of hearing-protector effectiveness.
• Required records and follow-up.

OSHA’s permissible exposure limit for occupational noise in general industry is 90 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted average, using OSHA’s required exposure calculations.

Construction operations are subject to applicable OSHA construction noise requirements and company hearing-protection procedures.

Training

Employees exposed to hazardous noise shall receive appropriate training regarding:

• The effects of noise on hearing.
• The purpose and limitations of hearing protectors.
• Proper selection, fitting, use, and care of hearing protection.
• The purpose of audiometric testing when applicable.
• The importance of consistently wearing required hearing protection.

Protect Your Hearing Every Time

Removing hearing protection for even relatively short periods in a high-noise environment can significantly reduce the protection received during the workday. Do not remove hearing protection simply because the task will take “only a minute.”

Report excessive noise, damaged hearing protection, difficulty obtaining a proper fit, or changes in hearing to your supervisor.

Remember

You cannot restore hearing once it has been permanently damaged by noise. Control noise whenever possible and wear properly fitted hearing protection every time it is required.