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Hearing Conservation Theresa Y. Schulz, PhD. Lt. Col. USAF (ret.) Topics Noise And Acoustics How We Hear Selecting Hearing Protection Noise Reduction Reducing Costs for Hearing Loss Hearing Protection Fitting Tips Motivating Workers Noise + Acoustics Noise + Acoustics Hazardous noise exposures occur On the Job Off the Job Noise + Acoustics Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Causes no pain Causes no visible trauma Leaves no visible scars Is unnoticeable in its earliest stages Accumulates with each overexposure Takes years to notice a change Is Permanent + 100% Preventable Noise + Acoustics Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common permanent and preventable occupational injury in the world. World Health Organization Noise + Acoustics Worker’s Compensation In many countries, excessive noise is the biggest compensable occupational hazard. Cost of NIHL to developed countries ranges from 0.2 to 2% of its GDP. NIHL is on the rise globally. (Source: WHO) Noise + Acoustics Canadian Statistics Canadian Hearing Society Awareness survey (2000) 25 % of people with hearing loss are under 40 70 % are under 60 Average age of those experiencing hearing loss = 51 16 % of 6 -19 year olds have early signs of hearing loss Each year in Ontario there are about 300 new compensation claims for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in the industry. NIHL can and should be prevented. Noise + Acoustics Non-Occupational Occupational Noise + Acoustics If you must SHOUT to be understood over background noise… …when standing one arm-length away from another person, that background noise is HAZARDOUS. Noise + Acoustics Do jets, stereos, my neighbor’s dog, air conditioner or mobile phones cause NIHL? • To damage hearing, noise must be of sufficient intensity and duration • Annoyance noises generally do not have the same intensity or duration to cause damage Noise + Acoustics The decibel (dB) scale is a logarithmic scale, not a linear scale 83 If the noise source is doubled 86 The noise level only goes up 3 dB 89 Small increases in decibel level 92 Represent enormous increases in noise level and risk Noise + Acoustics Time Weighted Average Permissible Exposure Limits Noise + Acoustics Time Weighted Average Permissible Exposure Limits Noise + Acoustics Time Weighted Average Permissible Exposure Limits Noise + Acoustics Regulations in Canada / US NewFoundland/ Labrador O.C . 2009-233 29 CFR 1926.52 Permissible Exposure Limits 85 dB 90 dB Action Level 80 dB 85 dB Required Not Required Annual Not Required Required - New Hires/Annual Not Required Required @ PEL Required @ PEL Required duration of employment Not Required Noise Monitoring Audiometric Testing Training Hearing Protectors Recordkeeping US -OSHA Construction Noise + Acoustics Hearing Conservation & Noise Control Action Level – 80 dB Permissible Exposure Limit – 85 dB • Inform worker of hazardous noise level Practical noise controls • Hearing protectors made available HearingCSA protectors • Meeting Standardrequired Reduce <85 dB • Provide infotore: selection, use, care Info re selection, care, use Audiometric testing dB TWA Noise + Acoustics Overprotection/Underprotection 20-25% workers exposed between 80-90 dB will still get NIHL. While HPD use is mandatory at 90 dB, you should protect to at least 85 dB. Avoid overprotection – protected levels below 65-70 dB can create additional safety risk. Noise + Acoustics Noise Measurement Devices SOUND LEVEL METER PERSONAL DOSIMETER IN-EAR DOSIMETER Sound is measured immediately in a specific area Sound “averaged” throughout day for sample employee/job Collects personal noise dose – the only real measure of risk NOISE+AND Noise Acoustics ACOUSTICS ~ Hierarchy of Controls Hierarchy of Controls ENGINEERING CONTROLS •Buy Quiet •Vibration Pads •Enclosures •Barriers •Isolation ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS •Rotate Workers •Extended Breaks •2nd/3rd Shift PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT NOISE+AND Noise Acoustics ACOUSTICS ~ Hierarchy of Controls Ototoxic Chemicals • • • • Ototoxic by themselves Synergistic effect with noise Large differences in sensitivity Recommend: increased frequency of audiometric testing Confirmed Ototoxics Ethyl Benzene Lead and inorganic compounds (as Pb) Styrene Toluene Trichloroethylene Synergistic Ototoxics NOISE • Carbon Monoxide Possible Carbon disulfide • Hydrogen Cyanide n-Hexane Xylene How We Hear How We Hear The Auditory System Chem/Elec Acoustical Hydraulic Mechanical How We Hear Hearing + Frequencies • Nerve cells in the cochlea are tuned to specific frequencies • Base of the cochlea is sensitive to high frequency sounds (red dots) • Tip of the cochlea is sensitive to low frequency sounds (green dots) How We Hear The Human Cochlea 17-year old girl 76-year old man 59-year old man • Low noise exposure • Low noise exposure • High noise exposure • Normal cochlea • Fewer receptors but still intact • Damaged cochlea • Receptors intact • Receptors destroyed How We Hear High Frequency Sounds of Speech TH SH S CH K F H T P How We Hear Normal Hearing is Understandable LOUDNESS LOUDNESS How We Hear NIHL Lacks Clarity How We Hear Audiometric Testing • A measure HC Program effectiveness • Measures effectiveness of HPDs • Catches NIHL in its early stage • Noise damage can only be determined when audiograms are compared serially • A single industrial audiogram cannot identify noise damage How We Hear Accommodations for hearing impaired employees Use Intelligent Hearing Protection Use hearing aids + electronic earmuffs Use hearing aids + uniform attenuation earmuffs (Hearing aids alone are usually not feasible protectors) Hearing Protection Selection Hearing Protection Selection Hearing Protection Selection Factors Comfort Noise Reduction Size Communication Job Requirements Hygiene Use with Other PPE • Proper Select The Selecting Every Keep Consider right workers ear HPDs care hearing job HPDs canal and thathas with can protector suitable its connected requirements maintenance work own with shape attenuation should other to their can in and PPE HPD feel comfortable for size environment selection extend without noise life compromise environment and ofmay • performance One protector Avoid Ensure Uniform Detectable Cap-mounted overprotection proper attenuation earplugs fitHPDs with • earmuffs notmarginal in variety allows for Examine process satisfy speech/signals of for and earplug all noise industries hard workers clean environments sizes to all be multiple-use hear and shapes more • hats Offer Hi-visibility a variety earmuffs of naturally daily • earplugs earplugs Consider Sized for Multiple-position dark/high multiple-use or banded earmuffs traffic • earmuffs to meetand earplugs Sound areas Clean amplification varying forreplace full-brim worker intermittent earmuffs ear cushions hats needs for noise workers on and or • hard Low-pressure Dielectric HPDs foam for preferences electronic with hearing every earmuffs 4-6 for • earmuffs earplugs electrical Ultraslim for neckband smaller impact impairment months noise. ear canals environments earmuffs with welding shields Hearing Protection Selection Earplugs PRO •Comfortable for extended use •Disposable earplugs available •Cooler in hot/humid environments •Single-use foam plugs can provide highest levels of attenuation CON •Attenuation highly dependent upon good fit •Hygiene issues in dirty environments Hearing Protection Selection Earplugs CARE/MAINTENANCE •Dispose single-use earplugs daily •Clean multiple-use earplugs with mild soap and water, dry thoroughly •Inspect multiple-use earplugs for dirt, cracks or hardness, replace if damaged Hearing Protection Selection Bands PRO •Very convenient for intermittent noise •Readily available around neck when not in use CON •Lower attenuation than most earplugs •Some noise transmission through band Hearing Protection Selection Bands CARE/MAINTENANCE •Clean and replace pods regularly •Do not overstretch band Hearing Protection Selection Earmuffs PRO •Easy to get proper fit •Good for intermittent noise •Radio & electronic options CON •Can feel hot/heavy with extended wear •Compatibility with other PPE? Hearing Protection Selection Earmuffs CARE/MAINTENANCE •Clean ear cushions and headband regularly with mild soap and water •Replace ear cushions and foam inserts every 4-6 months with normal wear, more often with heavy use/extreme conditions •Do not overstretch headband Select the right hearing protector for the job. • The one you’ll wear • With enough noise reduction (double @ 104 dB) • Without too much noise reduction • What else do you need from you HPD? Hearing Protection Selection “ Who would buy sunglasses so dark that you couldn’t see the cars coming down the road? No one ! Who would buy earplugs so effective that you couldn’t hear a forklift truck coming up behind you or a distant shouted warning? Everyone … at least every industrial buyer. We’ve trained them so ! ” Hearing Protection Selection Hazards of Overprotection Choosing a protector with an NRR higher than necessary may result in overprotection •Verbal communication may be hindered •Warning alarms may not be heard •Machine noises may be too diminished •HPD may be removed Insufficient Protection Acceptable Protection Optimal Protection Acceptable Protection Possible Overprotection dB dB -85 -85 -80 -80 -75 -75 -70 -70 Worker Exposure in the Ear With Protectors Hearing Protection Selection Sound Management Earmuffs For Recreational Shooters/Hunters •Amplifies ambient sounds •Rapid-Response shuts down at 82 dB •Better communication •Better situational awareness •Low-profile •AUX input for MP3 Increased Risks for HL • The bigger the bore, the more powder, the shorter the barrel– the bigger the boom! • Shooting in groups • Shooting inside a blind or enclosure • Some indoor ranges • Straight line blast • Reflective surfaces • Muzzle brakes Hearing Protection Selection – Flat Attenuation PRO • More natural sounds • Good for hearing-impaired workers CON • Lower attenuation than most earplugs • Costs more Hearing Protection Selection Speech will sound more natural with this earplug. 8000 4000 2000 1000 500 250 125 50 Attenuation in dB Variation in attenuation is only 5 dB in speech range (250 - 4kHz) 63 Frequency in Hz 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Uniform Attenuation Earplug Conventional Earplug Hearing Protection Selection – Non-linear HPDs PRO • Communication • Situational awareness • Impulse noise management CON • Training • Cost Hearing Protection Selection – Intelligent HPDs PRO • Amplifies • Good for hearing-impaired workers • Situational awareness CON • Cost Communication Solutions Communication Solutions • Protection against continuous, intermittent, and impulse noise • Connect w/two-way communication radios • Digital sound processing • Adaptive talk-through • Situational awareness • Active Noise Reduction • Fit check for protection Communication Solutions Now: Integrated Bluetooth, In-Ear, ATEX Sensear Phonak CavCom Howard Leight Hearing Protection Selection Hearing Protection Selection Factors www.howardleight.com/selector Hearing Protection Selection Common Objections to Wearing HPDs “I already lost some of my hearing, “Won’t I get an ear so why should I wear them?” infection?” “Hearing protectors “I don’t need them! are uncomfortable I am used to the to wear.” noise.” “I can’t hear my co-workers if I wear them.” “Can I hurt my eardrums if I insert an earplug to deeply.” “I can always get fit with a hearing aid.” “My machine sounds different.” Hearing Protection Selection If workers already have hearing loss, are they exempt from using hearing protection ? NO!! Tips for Employees Wearing Hearing Aids • Hearing aids alone are usually terrible protectors • Use hearing aids + electronic earmuffs • Use hearing aids + uniform attenuation earmuffs • See OSHA SHIB Noise Reduction Ratings vs. Personal Attenuation Ratings Noise Reduction Rating Noise Level = 100 dB Noise Reduction Rating = 30 dB How much noise is reaching the ear of the worker ? That is completely unknown … (55 – 104 dB) Noise Reduction Rating Factors in Achieving the NRR 1.FIT 2. WEAR TIME 30 A worker who selects an earplug with an NRR of 30 but then removes that HPD for just … effectively reduced his 8-hour NRR to just … dB 5 min 10 min 15 min 30 min 26 dB 24 dB 22 dB 18 dB In noise exposures, small intervals of no protection quickly void large intervals of adequate protection. Noise Reduction Rating – Attenuation in dB Real-World Attenuation ≠ NRR 192 users of a flanged reusable earplug ~ 27 NRR 50 NRR = 27 Multiple-Use Earplug 40 30 20 10 0 -10 From Kevin Michael, PhD and Cindy Bloyer “Hearing Protector Attenuation Measurement on the End-User” Retraining and refitting resulted in an average 14 dB improvement for this group Noise Reduction Rating How to Apply the New Label Two-number range displays the estimated protection achievable by minimally-trained users [80%] versus proficient users [20%]. 80% 20% A wider range indicates greater variability in the fit of that HPD. Smaller ranges indicate more consistency of fit. For example, earmuffs will usually have a tighter fitting range than earplugs, and may have a smaller NRR range. Noise Reduction Rating Three New Labels LABEL DESCRIPTION Conventional HPD Perform lab test with subjects who fit the protector after brief training Estimates the range of protection achieved by 20% and 80% of users Active Noise Reduction [ANR] • Uses a Microphone-in-Real-Ear [MIRE] method to estimate protection • Measured with ANR turned OFF and ON to show the additional attenuation from the ANR Level Dependent/ Impulse Noise Reduction • Testing will occur over a range of impulse noise levels. Multiple tests to determine lower and upper ranges of impulse noise reduction • Will include two ranges to identify attenuation for passive and active modes Noise Reduction Rating Earplug Fit Testing Provides an accurate, real-world picture of your employees’ hearing protector effectiveness. Identify if your employees are: • Receiving optimal protection • Require additional training • Need to try a different earplug style Noise Reduction Rating Earplug Fit Testing As a problem solver: • Derating Schemes • One-on-One Training • HPD Selection • NRR Change Noise Reduction Rating In-Ear Dosimetry As a Problem Solver • Employees with Documented NIHL or STS • At-Risk Employees • Training + Sampling • Dual-Protection/ Extreme Noise • Engineering Controls Reducing Costs + Claims Reducing Costs of Hearing Loss Indicators for Hearing Loss • • • • • • • Standard Threshold Shift Temporary Threshold Shift Recordable Hearing Loss Labeled NRR (de-rated?) Dosimetry In-Ear Dosimetry Personal Attenuation Level (PAR) Reducing Costs of Hearing Loss Lagging Indicators vs. Leading Indicators Reducing Costs of Hearing Loss Indicators for Hearing Loss • • • • • • • Standard Threshold Shift Temporary Threshold Shift Recordable Hearing Loss Labeled NRR (de-rated?) Dosimetry In-Ear Dosimetry Personal Attenuation Level (PAR) Reducing Costs of Hearing Loss Fit Testing In-Ear Dosimetry Field Verification – Fit-Testing Earplug Fit Testing Provides an accurate, real-world picture of your employees’ hearing protector effectiveness. ID if your employees are: • Getting the right protection • Need additional training • Need different earplug As a problem solver: • Derating Schemes • One-on-One Training • HPD Selection • NRR Change Field Verification – Fit-Testing Real-Ear Attenuation at Threshold (R.E.A.T.) Field Verification – Fit-Testing Loudness Balance (Real-Ear Attenuation Above Threshold) Field Verification – Fit-Testing Microphone in Real-Ear (M.I.R.E.) Field Verification – Fit-Testing Audiometric, 1,2 IntregaFit,* MultiFit REAT, freq 1 One FitCheck* HPDWellFit 1 QuickFit 1 EARfit* VeriPRO* SafetyMeter* REAT, One freq MIRE Loudness Balance Sound booth Quiet Room Anywhere Anywhere PAR PAR Derived PAR PAR Any earplug Any earplug Modified or custom earplugs Any earplug COHC 2 Training included COHC Training provided Training included * Commercially available Fit-Testing as a Training Tool Pre and Post-Test “How well can users predict their attenuation after a short fit-testing training session?" Fit-Testing as a Training Tool Pre and Post-Test Ability to Predict Noise Reduction (Each subject estimated atten. for each ear) Number of Ears 20 18 56% 16 14 12 10 32% 8 6 4 12% 2 0 Within 5 dB category +/- 7.5 dB +/- 12.5 dB (one Category off) (2 categories off) Fitting Tipsas a Training Tool Fit-Testing Ability to Predict Noise Reduction 100 Accuracy of estimate (75% were within one category of actual PAR) 47% 90 80 70 60 28% 50 14% 40 30 20 10 0 Same Category One off Two off Three off Four off Field Verification – Fit-Testing Variation from Published NRR 10 Published NRR 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 Distribution of PARs -25 12 -30 0 10 20 30 40 50 10 60 Workers Workers Difference in dB 5 70 80 90 100 8 6 4 2 0 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 Variation from Published NRR 15 20 25 30 Field Verification – Fit-Testing Personal Factors Gender Age Distribution of PARs 12 Years in Noise Workers 10 Ear Canal Size 8 6 Familiarity 4 Model of Earplug 2 0 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Program Factors Variation from Published NRR # Group Trainings # Personal Trainings Field Verification – Fit-Testing Difference on 2nd / 3rd Test 10 Variation from NRR 5 Published NRR 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 Subjects Trying a second earplug often improves attenuation Distribution Field Verification of PARs – Fit-Testing Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) 90 Before 80 # of Workers 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 5 9 14 19 23 28 PAR (in dBA) 33 37 42 >42 After Protected Exposure Levels (PrEL) Field Verification – Fit-Testing 70 Number of Workers 60 Initial 50 Final 40 30 20 10 0 <70 70-74 75-79 80-84 Protected Exposure Level (PrEL) 84-89 90+ Field Verification – Fit-Testing "I know how to better fit my earplugs now." "I found a more comfortable fit. It was very beneficial." "Feel like am protected now!" "Learned A LOT about best earplugs for me" "I had no idea I was not using my earplugs correctly." "I was amazed with the results after being shown the proper way to use earplugs. "Recently had threshold shift" "Found better earplugs" "Very glad I did the fitting test. Now I know the correct way to fit my ear plugs.” Reducing Costs of Hearing Loss In-Ear Dosimetry In-ear dosimetry measures/records worker’s actual noise dose, with and without protection Provides real-time monitoring and alerts when worker approaches/exceeds safe limits Only metric with direct potential to measure and prevent further progression of occupational hearing loss Reducing Costs + Claims Research > Alcoa Intalco Works Reducing Costs + Claims Mean hearing threshold and 4 kHz)2000 – 2007 (N = 46) • Mean Hearing Threshold (2k, 3k, (2,3, 4kHz): Employees using continuous ESP starting in 2005 • Employees using continuous in-ear dosimetry starting in 2005 2000 - 2007 (N=46) 50 ESP Introduced Mean HTL 3,4,6kHz 45 trend line 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Year of test 2005 2006 2007 Reducing Costs + Claims Preventive Action After NIHL ID of an abnormal audiogram or shift is not a preventive action It is documentation of a hearing loss after the fact. How soon will an employee suffering NIHL be re-fit / re-trained ? “Best case scenario” per regulatory compliance only In-ear dosimetry “worst case” scenario … 1 Day • Retest • Audiometric test 0 2 4 6 8 10 Months 12 14 • Notification 16 Reducing Costs + Claims Tools for HCP Prevention Metrics PROS • Estimate CONS Measure • Cost • NRR obsolete • Time Investment • Fulfills regulatory compliance • Not standardized • Eliminates need for de-ratings • Medico-legal cases • Delineates non-occupational • Eliminates double protection • Provides employee feedback Reducing Costs + Claims Off-job + On-job = STS Reducing Costs + Claims Adaptive, Intelligent Hearing Protection QPi is different. Upon start-up, QPi detects a minimum 20 dB of attenuation in each ear, ensuring a baseline threshold of protection. Then, QPi continuously monitors noise levels, and manages in-ear listening to appropriate, safe thresholds. Instantly— faster than the wearer ever could— QPi blocks dangerous noise, yet keeps them in touch with their surroundings, enabling clear communications without compromising speech intelligibility or listening quality. Reducing Costs + Claims Adaptive, Intelligent Hearing Protection Feature Automatic Fit Check Protection Against Continuous, Intermittent, and Impulse Noise Digital Sound Processing “Always Ready, Always On” Benefits Automatic detection of minimum 20 dB of attenuation ensures a baseline threshold of protection Wearer is alerted to a poor fit, requiring a refit Limits all incoming sound through to the ear canal to 85 dBA Ultra fast digital processing prevents impulse noise from reaching the ear Voice pick-up and sound reproduction done within ear canal via internal microphones Exterior microphones analyzes surrounding sound, adapts hear-through continuously, facilitates natural hearing Provides full hearing protection and maximum acoustical performance – increases ability of receiver to recognize the voice with clarity, even in extreme noise Safety in Situational Awareness Safety in Situational Awareness Smart technology seamlessly reproduces sound • naturally and clearly • without affecting high noise attenuation • automatically using ultra fast digital processing hands-free to the user No need to remove HPD to maintain contact with surroundings, reducing further exposure to hazardous noise. Safety in Situational Awareness Feature Benefits Adaptive TalkThrough Able to listen to surrounding sounds without interference Minimizes ambient sound when listening to radio communication Sound localization for situational awareness Adaptive Active Noise Reduction (ANR) Calibrates performance of Digital ANR algorithm to specific characteristics of each ear Ensures highest level of hearing protection, communications clarity and ANR stability Speed to respond to impulse noise is ultra quick – reducing the unwanted noise and then restoring the full talk-through hearing Positioning Safety in Situational | Safety inAwareness Situational Awareness Adaptive Talk-Through • Adaptive attenuation – never attenuates more than necessary • Signal processing algorithms for noise analysis • Provides the user optimal hearing while being protected • Digitally controlled impact protection Level Time Positioning Safety in Situational | Safety inAwareness Situational Awareness Adaptive Active Noise Reduction (ANR) • Increases attenuation of low frequency noise • Adapted to the dB individual ear for optimal performance • Only active when Active needed Passive attenuation attenuation Frequency Improved Speech Intelligibility Clear Two-Way Communication, Even in Extreme Noise Connected to two-way comm. Radios: Users can hear communications without compromising listening quality, even under extreme noise situations. Users can speak at a normal level and be heard the person on the other radio without picking up environmental noises Clear Two-Way Communication Clear Two-Way Communication, Even in Extreme Noise Feature Benefits Compatible with Two-Way Radios Connects to most commonly used 2-way com radios (Motorola, Icom) Volume control via QPi interface unit Adaptive Talk-Thru •Automatically adapts users’ voice communication when environmental noise reaches high levels •Digital impulse protection automatically minimizes impact or intermittent noises without compromising listening quality •Eliminates “noise leakage” due to delay in the electronics In-Ear Mounted Microphones Voice is captured in front of ear drum, enables radio communication without external microphone Compatible with other PPE, including full-face respirators, helmets and other head protection Applications Military Helicopters on the helideck Steel forging equipment Draglines in surface mines Construction COR – Best Practices • • • • • Training Documentation Internal Audit External Audit Certification (valid for 3 yrs) COR 80 Glencoe Drive Donovan's Industrial Park Mount Pearl, NL Canada A1N 4S9 Telephone: (709)739-7000 Facsimile: (709)739-7001 Toll-free: 1-888-681-SAFE (7233) Email: [email protected] St. John's (Head Office) 146 - 148 Forest Rd. P.O. Box 9000 St. John's, NL A1A 3B8 Tel: (709) 778-1000 Fax: (709) 738-1714 Toll Free: 1-800-563-9000 Hearing Protectors + Fitting Tips 0 dB 0 dB 33 dB EAR #1 EAR #2 EAR #3 How much protection? Fitting Tips Good Fit vs Bad Fit 90 Attenuation in dB 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 Max Good Fit NRR = 33dB Max Poor Fit NRR = 0dB 8000 6300 4000 3150 2000 1000 500 250 125 Frequency in Hz Fitting Tips Roll-Down Foam Earplugs 1. Roll entire earplug into a crease-free cylinder 2. Pull Back pinna by reaching over head with free hand, gently pull top of ear up and out 3. Insert earplug well into ear canal and hold until it fully expands Fitting Tips Fitting Tips Multiple-Use Earplugs 1. Reach While holding the stem, reach hand overhead and gently pull top of ear up and back. 2. Insert Insert earplug so all flanges are well inside the ear canal. 3. Fit If properly fitted, only the stem of the earplugs should be visible to someone looking at you from the front. Fitting Tips Visual + Acoustical Checks 1. Visual Check The earplug should sit well inside the ear canal and not stick out. 2. Acoustical Check Cup hands over ears and release. Earplugs should block enough noise so that covering your ears with hands should not result in a significant noise difference. Fitting Tips Earmuff Instructions 1. Place earcups over each outer ear 2. Adjust the headband by sliding the headband up or down at the attachment buttons 3. The ear cushions should seal firmly against the head Fitting Tips Fitting Instruction Posters Fitting Tips FAQ: Earmuffs + Safety Eyewear In our facility, several noisy areas require safety eyewear as well as earmuffs. Can earmuffs be worn over safety eyewear without affecting attenuation? Attenuation is impacted significantly by thick-framed eyewear. Affect on Attenuation Thin Frame (1-2 mm) 0 dB Medium Frame (3-4 mm) 2 dB Thick Frame (5-6 mm) 5 dB Fitting Tips FAQ: Dual Protection At our facility, we are exposed to extreme noise levels and wear both earplugs and earmuffs. How much reduction in noise level can we expect from dual protection? To estimate protected noise level, add 5 dB to the higher NRR protector. Max® earplug 33 dB Viking™ earmuff 29 dB Maximum Protection 38 dB Fitting Tips FAQ: Earmuffs + Polar Hoods We work in a cold environments and use Howard Leight polar hoods with our earmuffs. Does the hood affect the attenuation of the earmuff ? No affect on attenuation! Fitting Tips FAQ: Earmuffs + Absorbent Pads We work in a humid environment and use moisture-absorbing pads with our earmuffs. Do the pads affect the attenuation of the earmuff ? No significant affect on attenuation! Fitting Tips FAQ: Custom Molded Earplugs What about Custom Molded Earplugs? PRO CON • Comfort • Lower attenuation • Personal attachment • Variability in attenuation • Lubricant required • No extended-life benefit Training + Motivation Training + Motivation Personalize Hearing Loss Show, Don’t Tell • Provide copy of annual audiogram to worker • Use personal examples to demonstrate consequences of hearing loss • Ask questions: • What is your favorite sound? • What sound would you miss the most if you couldn’t hear? • What sounds connect you to people and your environment? Training + Motivation Demonstrate Future Risk Training Materials • • • • • • www.hearforever.org www.hearingconservation.org http://adl.grc.nasa.gov/ www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise www.dangerousdecibels.org www.caohc.org Training + Motivation Send Clear Message On + Off Job HC Part of Everyday Life • Include recreational hearing conservation in annual training • Provide extra HPDs for home use • Promote Hearing Conservation at company/family events Training + Motivation Remove Barriers to HPD Use Make HPDs Available • Highlight “where to find HPDs” in annual training • Make sure HPDs are wellstocked and accessible • Include group of workers in selection process for increased acceptance • Offer wide variety to match comfort, job requirements Training + Motivation Training + Motivation Hearing Loss Due To Noise Exposure Is … Painless Permanent Progressive … and very Preventable! Make Hearing Conservation Part of Your Everyday Life Download today’s presentation at www.hearforever.org/ HearTomorrow2011