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Safety & Compliance
> Safety Meeting Topics
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Hearing
Protection
We all suffer hearing loss as part of the natural aging
process. Throughout our lives, we are exposed to loud
noises and physical conditions that add up to a gradual
loss of hearing. However, many of us lose our hearing
prematurely by failing to protect ourselves from excess
noise at home or in the workplace.
The ear is composed of numerous delicate structures
that are designed to carry sound waves to the brain.
Hair cells in the inner ear are particularly important
because they stimulate the nerve that translates the
message to the brain. When the inner ear hair cells
are damaged by excess noise exposure, the auditory nerve
is not sufficiently stimulated, the brain does not receive
the appropriate sound signal, and we fail to hear correctly.
When hair cells are exposed to prolonged loud noise,
they "die", resulting in permanent hearing loss. Inner
ear hair cells cannot be replaced.
Noise is measured in units called decibels. Excess noise
is considered to be exposure to 85-90 decibels or more,
over an 8 hour period. A typical automobile horn can
be as loud as 120 decibels. However, you are usually
exposed to a horn honking for just a few seconds. This
would not contribute to hearing loss. If you had to
listen to the horn for 8 hours, though, you would definitely
suffer hearing loss.
The
solution:
WEAR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT! Ear muffs or ear plugs can
reduce the amount of noise to which your ears are exposed.
It is helpful to have a general knowledge of the number
of decibels of noise that are being produced by a particular
activity.
For example, the following activities produce the approximate
decibels shown:
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Normal conversation: 60
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Automobile traffic: 75
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Sanding: 85
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Subway traffic: 90
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Woodworking: 100
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Drilling (pneumatic): 100
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Power saw: 110
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Gunfire: 120
It
is important to realize that hearing hazards are not
all at the workplace. Leisure activities such as listening
to or playing loud music, target practice, lawnmowing,
also can produce noise levels that may be harmful. Keep
a supply of protective hearing devices at home, too!
It is important to take care of your ears by keeping
them clean and dry. Have your hearing checked when you
are having a routine physical exam. If you detect any
hearing loss, seek medical treatment right away.
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Safety & Compliance