Hearing Loss A Bigger Safety Problem Than You Might Think

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Chapter : Hearing Protection

Hearing Loss A Bigger Safety Problem Than You Might Think

As per the research number of workers goes to work each day in in noisy work area and have a noise-related hearing loss, workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise each year.

All worker exposures to noise should be controlled below a level equivalent to 85 decibels (dB) for 8 hours to minimize occupational noise induced hearing loss. therefore recommends a 3 dB exchange rate so that every increase by 3 dB doubles the amount of the noise and halves the recommended amount of exposure time.

Hearing Conservation Programs

The managements should carry out hearing conservation program in their factory where noise exposure is prevailing greater than 90 db. Such program can be prevented from ‘Noise induced hearing loss’.

Over the past few decades, many organizations much has been learned about the implementation of hearing loss prevention programs. 

The  eight elements of a successful hearing loss prevention program are:

• Noise exposure monitoring
• Engineering and administrative controls
• Audiometric evaluation
• Use of hearing protection devices
• Recordkeeping
• Program evaluation
• Program audit
• Employee training and motivation

Following methods can be applied for control or reduction of Noise:

• Control of noise at the source through good engineering design 
• Substitution by less noise processes such as welding instead of riveting, grinding instead or clipping etc
• Isolation – shifting of noise machine to area where few people work or not spread up noise in any other shop floor, well insulated part ion and tighten-closing doors may be installed for the noisy areas. 
• Application of sound absorption material on the walls.
• Use of ear protectors such as ear plugs and ear muffs. 
• Rotation of personnel.

Noise levels is some industries in India:

1. Compressors                    95-110      (A)     
2. Diesel generator               96-118     (A)
3. Textile carding                  87-90       (A)
4. Textile spinning                86-96       (A)
5. Textile Weaving               90-109     (A)
6. Riveting                           128-130   (A)
7. Foundries                        104-120   (A)
8. Heavy Engineering          95-112     (A)

Ten Ways to Recognize Hearing Loss:

According to the National Institutes of Health, the following questions will help your employees determine if they need to have their hearing evaluated by a medical professional:

• Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
• Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?
• Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
• Do you have to strain to understand conversation?
• Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?
• Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
• Do many people you talk to seem to mumble( or not speak clearly)?
• Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?
• Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
• Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?

Those who answer "yes" to three or more of these questions may want to see an otolaryngologist or an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.