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Staying On Track With Hearing Conservation

Staying On Track With Hearing Conservation. Good Morning and Welcome! Presented by: Helene R. Freed, Ed.M. Prevent Hearing Loss: Participate in Hearing Conservation. “ Blindness separates you from things , deafness separates you from people .” --Helen Keller.

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Staying On Track With Hearing Conservation

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  1. Staying On Track With Hearing Conservation • Good Morning and Welcome! • Presented by: Helene R. Freed, Ed.M.

  2. Prevent Hearing Loss: Participate in Hearing Conservation

  3. “Blindness separates you from things, deafnessseparates you from people.” --Helen Keller

  4. HearingEffects quality of life Directly related to our ability to communicate with loved onesAllows us to interactwith societyand nature. To workand to playsafely

  5. PREVENTION!IS the most effective approach to the management of hearing loss associated with chronic noise exposure.

  6. Some numbers Loss from noise trauma. 30 Million are exposed to injurious levels of noise 10 Million Americans have permanent, irreversible each day. 44% of carpenters and 48% of plumbers have perceived hearing loss. 49% of male, metal/nonmetal miners by age 50have hearing lossvs. 9% of the general population. 70% of metal and non metal miners will have hearing impairment by age 60. (NIOSH) 90% of coal miners have hearing loss by age 52.

  7. NOISE AND ACOUSTICS Hazardous noise exposures occur on the job AND off the job

  8. Howwe hear Acoustic energy to mechanical energy to hydraulic energy to chemical exchange to electrical impulse

  9. Ear Anatomy

  10. . Healthy Hair cells

  11. Hair cells after a history of noise exposure

  12. Hearing Loss Due To Noise Exposure Is … Painless Permanent Progressive … and very PREVENTABLE!

  13. Components Of A Hearing Conservation Program

  14. Noise Level Evaluation Audiometric Testing Hearing Protection Record Keeping Training Written Program

  15. Noise Level Evaluation HOW LOUD IS IT???

  16. Effects of Noise Exposure When is Noise Too Loud? • Noise is measured in units called “decibels” or “dB” • If two people 3 feet apart must shout to be heard, the background noise is too loud (above 85 decibels).

  17. Noise Level Evaluation • Personal Sampling by Dosimetry • 80 / 90 dBA Criterion Level • Engineering / Administrative Controls • Formal Documentation • Updating Your NLS… When? • 5 dB Doubling Effect

  18. Remember ThisWhen working with the Hearing Conservation Regulation • Legal levels are minimum requirements and do notprotect all employees exposed to high levels of noise in the work place. • To protect ALL your employees you need to EXCEEDthe minimumlegal requirements.

  19. If results are…. <85dB No Action Required >85dB Minimum Legal Requirement 85dB STS Mandatory HP 90dB Mandatory for all

  20. Exposure at these levels over a work life will produce the following significant hearing losses. • EPA 90dBA 22% 85dBA 12% 80dBA 5% • NIOSH 90dBA 29% 85dBA 15% 80dBA 3%

  21. 5 dB Doubling Effect

  22. Remove the hazard Remove the worker Protect the worker

  23. Audiometer and Test Environment The test environment mustbe controlledandtesting must be reliable • Testing does not conserve hearing alone • You need to know when how to counsel and educate employees • When to refitand adjust hearing protection • When to recommend engineering and administration controls

  24. Engage All Stakeholders “Engage persons having an investment in what will be learned ...and what will be done with the knowledge”

  25. What is M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N? An inducement An emotion, desire, physiological need, or similar impulse that acts as an incitement to action To stir to action or feeling To egg on, excite, goad, inspire, instigate, move, pique, prick, prod, prompt, propel, provoke, set off, spur, trigger ENCOURAGE CHEER ON

  26. Purpose of Test • Identify temporary hearing losses before they become permanent • To take remedial steps

  27. Normal Hearing 250Hz 500Hz 1kHz 2kHz 3kHz 4kHz 6kHz 8Hz

  28. Rising Audiogram

  29. Unilateral

  30. Sloping Audiogram

  31. Protectingyour hearing also protects you against: Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing 25% have difficulty coping with tinnitus It’s associated with disruption of sleep, stress and depression. 1 In 200 can’t lead a normal life. Hyperacusis/Recruitment:Abnormal reaction to loudness changes which often accompanies SNHLPhonophobia:Fear of noise that can accompany hyperacusis accompany

  32. Occupational Noise isn’t our only concern. Recreational Sports create Dangerous Decibels

  33. VUVUZELAS 113 dBA at 2 meters!

  34. Once in a HCP, how long does an employee have to go without being exposed at 85dB to be removed from the program? Employees who have not been exposed to noise = or >85dB for an entire year following their last annual audiogram may be removed from program.

  35. STS Follow-Up Employee may obtain a Retest within 30 days: a. If shift is found to be temporary, no further follow-up is necessary. b. If shift is found to be PERSISTENT, or a retest is NOT performed you must: a. Notify In Writing b. Retrain on proper fitting of hearing protection c. Mandatory hearing protection >85 dBA

  36. SUMMARIZE RESULTS Look for trends in certain areas, depts. STS should not exceed >10%population Upon retest, show more TTS Make HPD use and compliance part of the contract of employment In writing With disciplinary action

  37. Don’t make the mistake of thinking your job is done if you simply provide hearing protection and periodic hearing tests. Train workers how to recognize noise hazards, utilize noise controls, and use of hearing protection.

  38. Hearing Protection No Cost to the Employee Offer at least 2 types / Custom Plugs 85dBA offered vs. 90 dBA mandatory Attenuation / NRR

  39. Types of Hearing Protectors Earplugs • Single-Use • Multiple-Use • Detectable Banded Protectors • Banded Earplugs • Canal Caps Earmuffs • Standard (Headband) • Cap-Mounted • Electronic • Special Application

  40. Make Hearing Protection Mandatory at 85dBA • New Hires • STS • Save More Hearing. Halve Their Exposure • Reduces Risk of Hearing loss From 25% to 8% • Make this a policy of employment!

  41. NOISE LEVEL EVALUATION AUDIOMETRIC TESTING TRAINING HEARING PROTECTION RECORD KEEPING ***WRITTEN PROGRAM***

  42. AUDIOMETRIC TESTING All employees assigned to AREA A will receive baseline audiogram within six months of first high noise exposure and mandatory hearing protection. Audiograms will be given annually and compared to baseline to determine if a STS has occurred. Mandatory Hearing Protection is required in the following areas:

  43. TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION EAR PLUGS / NRR EAR MUFFS / NRR

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