Noise and Hearing

Conservation

Image credit: OSHA

Session Objectives
You will be able to:
Understand the effects of noise on hearing
Identify sources of noise in your workplace
Describe the purpose of audiometric testing
and be able to interpret your test results
Select, fit, and use hearing protection

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What Is Sound?
Sound is a longitudinal pressure wave of
energy with the following characteristics:

Frequency (pitch) measured in hertz (Hz)

Pressure (loudness) measured in decibels (dB)

Frequency and pressure of a sound wave

with duration of exposure determine the risk

of hearing loss

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Noise Sources
Machinery, tools, and

equipment emit sounds

of varying loudness
and in particular
frequencies
Continuous or
intermittent
Low-frequency
equipment noise
sources cause hearing
loss in the speech
frequencies
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Sound Pressure Levels of

Common Noises
Noise Source
Whisper
Conversation
Shop tools
Pneumatic drill
Woodworking shop
Abrasive blasting
Jackhammer
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Loudness
10 dB
65 dB
90 dB
100 dB
110 dB
115 dB
130 dB

OSHA Noise Exposure

Limits

90 dBA TWA for 8-hour exposure

95 dBA TWA for 4-hour exposure
100 dBA TWA for 2-hour exposure
105 dBA TWA for 1-hour exposure
Use engineering controls, administrative

controls, and personal protective equipment

(hearing protection) to meet standards

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Indicators of High Noise

Levels
Noisy conditions can make normal

conversation difficult
80 dBPeople have to speak very loudly
85-90 dBPeople have to shout
95 dBPeople have to move close together
to hear each other at all

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How Is Noise Hazardous?

Noise can result in temporary or permanent
hearing loss
It can cause you to misunderstand
communication
It can cause you to miss important safety
warnings
It can create unhealthy stress

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How We Hear Sounds

Sound waves enter the ear canal
Eardrum vibrations pass along tiny bones
Tiny hairlike cells flow back and forth
The auditory nerve sends signals to the
brain that are registered as sound

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How Hearing Is Damaged

Hearing ability relies on
delicate parts that can
be damaged in the
inner and middle ear
Hairlike cells in the
inner ear are flattened
by high noise levels
and injured over time
Hearing loss is gradual
Hearing damage is
permanent
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Image Credit: OSHA

Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is any

reduction in the ability

to hear
Two types of loss
Temporary hearing loss
(temporary threshold
shift) may occur
immediately following a
high noise exposure
Permanent hearing loss
(standard threshold shift)

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Signs of Hearing Loss

Difficulty hearing

people speak
Inability to hear certain
high-pitched or soft
sounds
Noise or ringing in ears
Getting complaints that
the radio or TV volume
is too high

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Image Credit: Tom Ouimet

Evaluating the Noise

Exposure Hazard
Conduct a noise
survey

Identify and characterize

high-noise sources
Identify impacted
employees

Monitor impacted

employees
Repeat monitoring

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Image Credit: Tom Ouimet

Noise HazardsAny
Questions?

Any questions about the hazards of

excessive noise and how to identify them?

Questions about signs and symptoms of
hearing loss?
Questions about measuring hearing loss?

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Elements of the Hearing

Conservation Program
All employees exposed to >85 dBA for
8 hours must participate
You receive:

Baseline and annual audiograms

Annual training on hearing loss
Audiograms and PPE

Hearing protection is provided

Exposure assessment conducted
periodically
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Audiometric Exams
Exams can detect early signs of hearing

loss
Typically measures hearing threshold at six
frequencies
Hearing thresholds are compared with
previous audiograms

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Standard Threshold Shift

(STS)
Hearing loss has occurred if you have

experienced a standard threshold shift

(STS)
Hearing ability changed by an average
of 10 dB
Revised hearing protection required for
STS

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Has an STS Occurred?

Baseline
Annual

Image Credit: Tom Ouimet

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An Example of Hearing
Loss in Carpenters

Image Credit: Tom Ouimet

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Hearing Protection Use

Voluntary use if exposed to an 8-hour TWA
of 85-90 dB
Mandatory use when:

Exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 90 dB

Exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 dB and have
suffered an STS (hearing loss) or have not had a
baseline hearing test

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Hearing Protection Devices

Hearing protection devices must reduce

Noise
Reduction
employee
noise exposure below an 8-hour
TWA of 90 dB
Employees with STS, noise exposure
reduced below an 8-hour TWA of 85 dB
Noise reduction ratio (NRR)
Earplugs: use 1/3 of NRR
Earmuffs: use 1/2 of NRR

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Hearing Protection Devices

Earplugs and Canal Caps
Must be properly

inserted to seal the ear

canal
Slowly roll and compress
foam into cylinder
Insert into ear canal while
compressed

Keeps noise from

reaching the eardrum

Cotton is not an
earplug
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Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services

Hearing Protection Devices

Earmuffs
Sealed against head

with ears fully enclosed

Hair out from muffs
Glasses and caps do
not interfere with seal
Headband adjusted so
cushions exert even
pressure
Cleaned with warm,
soapy water and rinsed

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Any Questions?
Any questions about audiometric testing?
Questions about our hearing protection
program?
About when to use hearing protection?
About hearing protection devices?

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Key Things to Remember

Hearing is a very important sense dont

lose it
Noise exposure over 85 dB can cause
hearing loss
Hearing loss cannot be cured or repaired
Hearing tests are conducted annually and
can detect hearing loss
Hearing protection devices must be worn in
high-noise areas
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