Did you know that hearing loss is one of the most common job-related injuries, and it’s almost always preventable? That’s right, it’s the most frequent, permanent injury that occurs in the workplace. (1) Once the delicate cells in your ears are damaged, there’s no turning back.
Let’s take a look at some eye-opening statistics:
In the U.S., a staggering 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noises. (1)
1 in 8 people suffer from hearing loss, and 1 in 4 of those cases are due to occupational hazards. (2)
Shockingly, 51% of construction workers are exposed to high noise levels, and more than half of them don’t wear any hearing protection. (1)
So, why is it so crucial to protect your hearing on the job? Excessive noise exposure, especially over time, can damage the nerve endings in your ears. Depending on how loud, abrupt, or prolonged the noise is, it can impair your ability to hear high-frequency sounds, understand speech, and communicate effectively.
Now, let’s see what OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has to say about hearing protection:
- If noise levels exceed 85 decibels over an 8-hour workday, employers must implement a hearing conservation program and provide hearing protection devices (HPDs) free of charge. (3)
- An easy way to gauge if noise levels are too high is if you have to raise your voice to speak to someone 3 feet away from you.
- HPDs must be properly fitted, maintained, and employers need to train workers on their use and care. (3)
- Employers must monitor noise levels, keep records of exposure measurements and HPD use, and provide medical evaluations and follow-up care for workers who have experienced hearing loss. (3)
- Signs should be displayed to warn workers about noise hazards. (3)
But remember, prevention is always better than reaction. By reducing noise hazards at the source, you can greatly minimize the risk of hearing loss. This can be achieved through engineering solutions such as using low-noise tools, maintaining equipment, and placing barriers between the noise source and employees. (4) Administrative measures, like operating noisy machines during less busy times and providing quiet areas, can also help.(4)
But when all else fails, personal protective equipment (PPE) acts as the last line of defense. There are different types of hearing protection available, so consider three key attributes:
1. Protection – make sure it meets your needs.
2. Purpose – does it help or hinder your work?
3. Performance – is it comfortable, easy to use, and durable?
Some med-large work sites have a variety of noise hazards and exposures depending on task at hand or proximity, so many worksites must offer a combination of different solutions. Browse our hearing protection here.
Be aware that OSHA measures the effectiveness of hearing protection is by the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). This rating tells you how many decibels of noise the device can block. (5) However, OSHA takes into account environmental factors and user error when calculating the true effectiveness of the device. (5)
OSHA determines NRR ratings using this formula (5)
(NRR-7) / 2
Example: NRR = 32
(32-7) / 2= 12.5
De-rated NRR=12.5
If a hearing device has an NRR of 32, OSHA only considers it to actually block out 12.5 decibels.
So, take a proactive approach to protect your precious hearing at work. It’s a sound decision!
To learn more about types of hearing protection devices, visit our related blog post.
Are you a visual learner? Watch our webinar on Hearing Conservation HERE.
Browse our hearing protection products HERE.
