Download noise and hearing loss prevention

Noise and hearing loss prevention
Facts
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Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable, but once acquired, the loss is permanent and irreversible.
Of all Americans who have a hearing loss, approximately 1/3 of them developed their hearing loss because of exposure to
noise. Many Americans work, play, and live around environmental noise that is dangerously loud.
Noise-induced hearing loss is a disability that affects people of all ages. It is no longer limited to older adults - approximately
12% of children between the ages of 6-19 have a noise-induced hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss is the result of the intensity of the noise and duration of exposure. It can happen without pain and
accumulate over a life time or it can be painful and occur rapidly.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates work environments with noise levels of 85 decibels or
more to have hearing conservation programs.
Some types of toys for children are known to be so loud that they are capable of causing a permanent hearing loss. Please
protect the hearing of children who are too young to protect themselves!
Noise Levels Are Hazardous When….
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You have to shout so your voice can be heard.
You can’t hear someone talking to you from three feet away.
You have ringing or pain in your ears during or even after leaving a noisy area.
Sounds and/or speech seem “muffled” or distorted after exposure to noise.
Others can hear the sound coming from your headset.
Prevention
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Be aware of the noise level of your surroundings. Recreational activities may pose a risk. Without hearing protection,
snowmobiling, motorcycle riding, shooting firearms or fireworks, and listening to extremely loud music or movies can damage
your hearing.
Read the labels of devices that warn of dangerous noise levels – this includes MP3 players.
Wear ear protection that is appropriate for the noise situation. Ear protection is available in a variety of styles, such as
expandable foam earplugs, pre-molded reusable earplugs, ear muffs or custom hearing protection devices. The best hearing
protector for you will be the one you are willing to wear consistently.
Encourage your employer to implement a hearing conservation program.
Noise levels
Examples of sounds and their decibel levels:
30 dB: Whisper, quiet library
40 dB: Quiet room
50 dB: Moderate rainfall
60 dB: Conversations, dishwasher
70 dB: Busy traffic, vacuum cleaner
80 dB: Alarm clock, busy street
90 dB: Lawnmower, shop tools, truck traffic, subway
100 dB: Snowmobile, chainsaw, pneumatic drill
110 dB: Rock music, model airplane
120 dB: Jet plane take-off, car stereo, band practice
130 dB: Jackhammer
140 dB: Firearms, air raid siren, jet engine
Daily exposure limits*
Decibel levels and the amount of time it takes for damage to occur:
90 dB: 8 hours
92 dB: 6 hours
95 dB: 4 hours
97 dB: 3 hours
100 dB: 2 hours
102 dB: 1.5 hours
105 dB: 1 hour
110 dB: 30 minutes
115 dB: 15 minutes or less
* Ear protection is recommended whenever you are going to be exposed to loud and/or prolonged noise. It is better to be safe
than sorry!
Additional Information
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American Academy of Audiology: www.audiology.org/resources/consumer/Documents/FSNIHL.pdf
Turn it to the left!: www.turnittotheleft.com
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery: www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Noise-Induced-HearingLoss-in-Children.cfm
American Academy of Family Physicians: www.aafp.org/afp/20000501/2749.html
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: (http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/noise.htm)
Better Hearing Institute: www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_prevention/
Listen To Your Buds: http://www.listentoyourbuds.org/
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noise.asp
This information is in accessible formats for individuals with disabilities by calling (651)431-5940 or by using your
preferred relay service. Additional assistance with legal rights and protections for equal access to human services
programs is available.
Contact Information: (651)431-5940 or (800)456-7589 V, (651)964-1514 VP, (888)206-6513 TTY,
(651)431-7587 FAX, [email protected], www.dhhsd.org