Transcript Save Your Hearing

References
• OPNAVINST 5100.23 series
• 29CFR1910.95
(Codes of Federal Regulations)
Why Hearing Conservation?
Hazardous noise levels are
common in industrial areas
because of machinery, motors
and many other industrial
operations. Permanent
hearing loss from continuous
noise exposure is preventable.
Why Hearing Conservation?
The Navy has a program to ensure
noise hazardous areas are identified;
hazardous noise is eliminated, where
possible; hazards are posted;
personnel are provided with
protective equipment; and testing is
conducted to monitor program
compliance.
Exposure
1. Exposure to high levels of
continuous noise or sudden, impact noise
can cause permanent hearing loss.
2. Hearing loss from continuous noise
is cumulative over time, and may not
become noticeably severe for many
years. Once lost, that hearing cannot be
recovered.
Exposure
3. Hearing loss from continuous
noise damages delicate hair-like
cells in the inner ear. The more
damaged cells you have, the more
hearing loss. These cells NEVER
heal.
Exposure
4. Hearing losses are
preventable. Hearing losses
also make up the majority of
all compensation claims from
occupational causes.
Exposure
5. The Navy’s program is
designed to “conserve” or
save your hearing, and
prevent permanent hearing
loss.
If you are exposed to noise
levels greater than 84dBA,
you will be entered into a
Hearing Conservation
program.
When you report to
your new command
you shall receive a
baseline screening.
Goals of the Navy
Program Elements
Prevent occupational hearing loss
and ensure auditory fitness.
Prevent noise exposure that has
been recognized as an
occupational hazard.
Prevent hearing loss.
Hearing Conservation
Program Elements
Work environments shall be
surveyed to identify
potentially hazardous noise
levels and personnel at risk.
Hearing Conservation
Program Elements
Equipment that produces
potentially hazardous noise
shall be modified to reduce
the noise level, if
FEASIBLE.
Hearing Conservation
Program Elements
Education is vital to the
overall success of a
Hearing Conservation
Program.
Navy Exposure
Above 84 decibels on the “A”
weighted scale (84dBA)
requires hearing protection.
“A” weighted means the frequencies
and sound levels measured are those
experienced by humans, so the meter
“hears” similar to the way your ear
hears.
Navy Exposure
The limit for impact
noise is 140 dBA
Above 104 dBA requires
DOUBLE hearing
protection
Employer
Responsibilities
the employer has to
properly train and inform
the employee of noise
hazards and issue hearing
protection.
Individual
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of
the individual to utilize the
hearing protective devices
they have been given.
How much is a
dBA?
Jet Airplane
140 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Missile firing
120 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Automobile
horn
112 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Diesel Engine
110 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Steam Boiler
100 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Lawnmower
95 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Subway
e-TRAIN
90 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Noisy
Restaurant
80 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Traffic
75 dBA
How much is a
dBA?
Quiet Home
50 dBA
Noise
NOISE is the leading cause of
hearing loss in the Navy.
Disease, injury and age are
the others.
30 to 50 percent of all military
personnel develop significant
noise induced hearing loss.
Can I toughen my
ears to noise?
Noise does not toughen your
ears……. It destroys them!!!
Noise
Hearing problems in the outer
and middle ears are usually
medically treatable,… BUT…..
There is NO known cure for
noise-induced hearing loss in
the INNER EAR.
Off-Duty
What can I do
to reduce noise
off-duty?
Off-Duty
Insert carpets, drapes and acoustical
tile to absorb sounds that would
otherwise bounce off bare floors,
walls and ceilings.
Place rubber mats under noisy or
vibrating appliances.
Off-Duty
Enclose noisy machines with
materials that absorb sound. Many
commercial products are available.
Maintain equipment to keep loose or
unoiled parts from creating more
noise.
Off-Duty
Buy plastic replacement parts if possible,
when metal parts wear out - plastic is
less noisy.
Choose quieter models when replacing
blenders, dishwashers, etc.
Look for items with a HIGH noise
reduction rating (NRR).
Off-Duty
Plant leafy shrubs at window height to
absorb traffic noise.
Don’t play music loudly or use noisy
equipment in small enclosed spaces.
Temporary
Threshold Shift:
You may not hear certain sounds
at the end of the day.
Within 15 to 40 hours after
exposure to noise your hearing
bounces back.
Permanent
Threshold Shift:
There are NO physical signs,
NO pain. There may be a
ringing in your ears. Hearing
no longer bounces back. The
LOSS is PERMANENT.
Audiometric Testing
While being tested you sit in a “quiet
room”. A trained technician uses an
instrument (an audiometer) to send
sounds (tones) through headphones.
The person being tested responds to
these tones. The chart that records
responses to test sounds is called an
AUDIOGRAM.
Audiometric Testing
It checks workers hearing
ability so any hearing loss can
be identified and dealt with
properly.
Audiometric Testing
It measures the overall success of
the program and evaluates
workers hearing protection so
changes can be made if necessary.
Hearing loss from
noise is preventable.
Wear your
Hearing
Protection.
Earplugs
Very effective for most noise levels,
but they must be carefully fit.
Earplugs take some getting used to,
and it may take more than one fitting
to get a comfortable pair. Keep them
clean with soap and water. Use a
carrying case when not in use.
Earplugs
3 basic types of plugs
Formable/Disposable type
Premolded/Universal/Multi-size type
Custom Molded Type
Only earplugs listed in OPNAVINST
5100.23 series may be used
Canal Caps
Just as effective as earplugs.
They’re a possible choice for
people who can’t use earplugs
and are useful for people who
enter and leave high noise
areas frequently.
Earmuffs
These are convenient and
practical for intermittent
exposures. You must not bend
or modify any part of the
headband, cup or cushion.
Cushions must be replaced
when hard or cracked.
Thanks
Enjoy the sounds around
you and
have a…….
SAFE DAY