Why Should You Choose Custom-Moulded Over Disposable Earplugs?

September 25, 2012

Custom Molded Vs. Disposable Earplugs

Custom-moulded earplugs, sometimes called Personalized Hearing Protection, are just as, if not more, effective for the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss as are disposable earplugs. There have not been head-to-head studies of the relative effectiveness, but two major long-term retrospective studies of the effectiveness of hearing loss prevention programs can provide insight. Read Complete Whitepaper by Dr. John Franks.

Choose Custom-Moulded Over Disposable Earplugs Abstract

In 1989 Franks, Davis and Krieg (Franks, 1989) reported that noise-exposed employees of a company that provided custom earplugs to all of its employees had changes in hearing over a ten-year period that were no different from their non-noise-exposed colleagues and peers. The company had six facilities around the United States with noise-exposed employees as well as a cadre of employees of similar age and gender who were not exposed to workplace noise. All of the employees studied had been with the company for the ten-year period studied. Audiometric, health and hobby histories, as well as noise-exposure levels were known for all employees. A ten-year segment of the records was used for the analysis.

It was company policy to provide custom earplugs for use at work or home as well as to provide disposable earplugs to employees to use outside of work. Analysis of the data revealed that the changes in hearing that were observed were not due to exposure to workplace noise. Having resolved that and adjusting for age, statistical analysis showed hypertension and diabetes increased the propensity to have worsening hearing for women. For men, the factors were hypertension, diabetes, and use of firearms.

Read Complete Whitepaper

In 2011, Heyer, et al. (Heyer N, 2011- view abstract) reported a retrospective analysis of hearing conservation programs for three different companies, all of which relied upon premoulded or slow-recovery foam disposable earplugs to protect employees from noise-induced hearing loss.

> Company 1 made automobile body components,
> Company 2 made automotive parts,
> Company 3 was a major food processing company.

All of the employees had been at the study sites for longer than the period of time studied. Noise-exposure and hearing protector use histories were established for each employee as were audiometric records including relevant medical and hobby histories. In this study there was not a cohort of fellow non-noise-exposed employees, so the outcome was compared to a standardized set of data (American National Standards Institute, S3.44-1996 (R 2006)). The noise-exposure levels in the three companies studied were similar, as were they to the noise-exposure levels in the Franks, et al. (1989) study. Heyer, et al. found that two factors were associated with changes in hearing: age and noise-exposure level. Because of the strong effects age and noise-exposure level had on the data, it was not possible to assess the influence of other factors.

Had the pre-moulded disposable earplugs been used as effectively as the custom-moulded earplugs, then noise-exposure level should not have been a main effect associated with changes in hearing; with age factored out, noise-exposure level was as much a primary risk as would be expected for the unprotected.

Read Complete Whitepaper by Dr. John Franks.

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

Oregon OSHA Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation (PDF)

Occupational Noise: Assessing the burden of disease from work-related hearing impairment at national and local levels (PDF)

Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss – A Practical Guide (PDF)

NAOSH WEEK: Safety & Health

May 8, 2012

Custom Protect Ear’s contribution to NAOSH WEEK: Safety & Health

“If I told you it was NAOSH week, would you

– Find a NAOSH and hug them.
– Send money to the save the NAOSH Fund
– Demand a public inquiry into why NAOSH aren’t fairly treated.”

What is NAOSH Week

NAOSH, North American Occupational Safety and Health Week is a continent wide event focusing attention on workplace health and safety and involving USA, Canada, and Mexico. Many companies in participate in NAOSH week by bringing in speakers to discuss workplace safety, set up awareness campaigns with posters and contests, host a public symposium on health and safety issues in the community, work with a local businesses etc. Click here to see more NAOSH events.

The purpose of the event is to highlight public, government and industry importance of increasing knowledge, raising awareness and reducing injuries and illness in the workplace, home and community. NAOSH Week is led by Threads of Life, in concert with the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and partners in Mexico, the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), and

Custom Protect Ear’s involvement to NAOSH WEEK

Custom Protect Ear (CPE), also a member of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), is North America’s largest personalized industrial hearing protector manufacturer, making hearing conservation is their only business. Custom Protect Ear serves over 4,500 companies and businesses around the globe. Their ISO certified Technicians do custom on-site fittings at their industrial sites. CPE’s mission is to be known as the “hearing conservation specialists” promoting hearing protection and hearing conservation in the workplace, community and at home.

The goal of the North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week is to focus the attention of employers, employees, the general public and all partners in occupational safety and health on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

CPE will contribute to the awareness campaign on occupational safety and health by striving to:

1. Increase understanding of the benefits of investment in implementing hearing conservation programs in the workplace.

2. Raise awareness of the long term effects that hearing loss can have on an individual during their time in a noise exposed environment.

3. Educate and raise awareness to the health and safety professionals about the types of programs available to their facility when it comes to hearing protection.

During NAOSH week Custom Protect Ear will continue to provide information and expertise on how to prevent “noise induced hearing loss” (NIHL), and how to implement hearing conservation programs in the workplace. To learn more please visit their blog (www.protectear.com/blog) and follow their social community: Twitter/protectear & Facebook/hearingprotection.

About North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week – was first launched in June 1997, marked by an agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico. NAOSH Week presents an excellent opportunity to focus, reinforce and strengthen commitment to occupational safety and health.

Participation and involvement in NAOSH Week has been shown to:

– improve attitudes towards safety
– increase understanding of the importance of occupational health & safety
– foster a safety-minded culture
– increase cooperation
– raise awareness
– assist in team building, and improve communication between employees, safety committees and safety professionals.

Partners in Prevention 2012: Canada’s Largest Health & Safety Event

April 30, 2012

Press Release – (May 1 – 2, 2012)

Mississauga, March 27, 2012 — Partners in Prevention 2012 Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show — the flagship event of the Health & Safety Ontario conference series — will welcome over 4,500 health and safety professionals, peers, industry experts and solution providers from across Canada to the Mississauga International Centre May 1 – 2 , 2012, for two-days of learning, sharing and networking in aim of preventing workplace injuries, illness and fatalities.

“Rapid changes in workplaces, our economy and workforce require all workplace parties and leaders to continuously engage in conversations supported by evidence and expertise. Tragedies are preventable and remind all Ontarians to act, lead and engage in prevention,” says Elizabeth Mills, President & CEO of Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. “Partners in Prevention is a catalyst for change. This event brings together business leaders, employers, workers, researchers, educators, and solution providers and affords them deeper understanding and an increased ability to strengthen their workplace health and safety programs.”

60+ sessions, workshops and courses
Partners in Prevention 2012 offers over 60 interactive sessions, workshops and professional development courses focused on providing health and safety best practices, compliance advice and business solutions relevant to all industry sectors. Conference content will have a strong focus on the four leading hazards affecting Ontario workplaces: motor vehicle incidents; strains and sprains; falls; and contact with machinery.

Provocative conversations with today’s leaders

Executives recognized for their organizations’ commitment to health and safety, will answer tough questions during a special, half-day session entitled View from the Top – Provocative Conversations with Today’s Leaders. Moderated by Amanda Lang, Senior Business Correspondent with CBC News, this panel will speak candidly about their investment in health and safety and their resulting achievements of sustainability and profitability. CEO panelists include Michelle DiEmanuele, Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre; Stewart Hardacre, Habitat for Humanity Canada; Dean Johnson, Sodexo Canada Limited; and Senior Vice President, Energy Sector Siemens Canada Limited, Bill Smith. This session draws high attendance from delegates eager to learn from health and safety leaders.

Three inspiring keynotes

On Tuesday, May 1, John Furlong, CEO Vancouver 2010 Olympics Organizing Committee opens the conference with his presentation, Living Leadership; the story of how he built a resilient and supportive, people-led team culture for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee. On Wednesday, May 2, Tod Maffin, Digital Technology & Marketing Guru and once founder and CEO of a multi-million dollar technology firm, shares his personal experience of depression and addiction and his struggle to hide it from employers, colleagues, family and friends. Later that day, Michael Kerr, Motivational Speaker, Business Trainer and Humour in the Workplace Expertpresents Inspiring Workplaces — The Way Work OUGHT To Be! — an engaging discussion about how to create healthier, happier and more productive work environments.

Two trade shows and 400 exhibitors under one roof

Partners in Prevention 2012 is once again co-locating with CANECT — the Canadian Environmental Conference & Trade Show — to offer attendees access to over 400 exhibitors from across the world. Attendees can investigate the latest products and services, ask individualized questions, build contacts with leading health and safety solution providers and participate in a number of interactive trade show presentations and booths.

Registration for Partners in Prevention 2012 is now open. Registration details, media accreditation instructions and additional conference and trade show information can be found on theconference website.

Health & Safety Ontario (HSO) is the result of a bold move to reorganize the independent efforts of 12 health and safety associations into four streamlined organizations to better serve more than 236,000. HSO is comprised of Infrastructure Health & Safety Association, Public Services Health & Safety Association, Workplace Safety North, and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. Together HSO provides health and safety solutions to employers so that they can reduce and eliminate workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths.

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For more information, contact:

Meagan Wadeson
Communications Specialist
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
1-877-494-9777, ext. 2233
meagan.wadeson@wsps.ca

Shane McKenna
Communications Specialist
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
1-877-494-9777, ext. 2247
shane.mckenna@wsps.ca