Hearing Conservation Effects of noise v Causes hearing

Hearing Conservation

Effects of noise v Causes hearing loss v Amount of damage depends upon the intensity of the noise and duration of exposure v Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent 1 a

Effects of noise v Prolonged exposure generally causes permanent damage v Noise-induced permanent threshold shift is not reversible/cannot be medically treated 1 b

Effects of noise v Noise-induced hearing loss typically starts with hearing threshold shifts in the higher frequencies v The type of hearing loss can be identified and measured with audiometric examination 1 c

Noise hazards v Noise is unwanted/unpleasant sound that may have a negative effect depending on: • loudness/frequency • duration of exposure • how old/healthy person is 2 a

Noise hazards v Sound is measured by: • frequency • intensity 2 b

Noise hazards v Noise types include: • wide band • narrow band • impulse 2 c

Noise hazards v Hearing protection must be provided when noise exceeds an eight-hour time-weighted average of 85 db

Noise hazards can cause: v Drowsiness and irritability v Inability to hear important instructions v High blood pressure, ulcers, headaches 2 d

Noise hazards can cause: v Sleeping disorders v Temporary or permanent hearing loss 2 e

Engineering controls v Isolate noisy machinery in a separate area v Place machinery on rubber mountings v Use tiles sound-absorbing acoustical 3 a

Engineering controls v Arrange work schedules to reduce employee exposure to noise v Inform supervisors of unpleasant/unacceptable noise levels 3 b

Hearing protection v Factors taken into account when selecting hearing protection devices include: • noise hazards • noise frequencies • fit and comfort • noise reduction rating 4 a

Purpose/procedure for audiometric testing v Checks a person’s hearing v Trained technician uses an audiometer to send sounds through headphones 5 a

Purpose/procedure for audiometric testing v Person being tested responds to the sounds when they are first heard v Chart records responses 5 b

Hearing protection makes common sense v You are ultimately responsible for your own hearing v You have the most to lose if you suffer hearing loss v Make sure earplugs fit properly 6 a

Hearing protection makes common sense v Have an annual hearing test v Keep hearing protection devices in good operation 6 b

Hearing protection makes common sense v Don’t use homemade hearing protection devices v Wear hearing protection devices at work as required 6 c