Hearing Loss from Loud Noise: Festivities and Celebrations

November 13, 2018

Hearing Loss from Loud Noise

Contrary to popular belief, excess noise can be more than just an annoyance; it can actually be classified as a danger. Noise can be unsafe when it’s too loud, especially when exposed for long periods of time, but also for short ones. These types of noises can cause noise-induced hearing loss, also known as NIHL. NIHL happens when excessive and/or loud noise damages the sensitive structures of the inner ear. This process could take a while to set in or it may happen instantly; it may be momentary or it may be everlasting, there is no sure way to tell.

There are, however, a number of activities that can be avoided in order to minimize your chances of developing noise-induced hearing loss. Listening to headphones too loudly, shooting ranges/hunting, playing in a band, attending too many loud concerts and motorcycling are all actions that should be evaded in order to decrease your chances of obtaining NIHL.

And long exposure to loud noise can lead to tinnitus (buzzing sound in the ear), which can further lead to psychological problems in people. Besides issues with hearing, insomnia, irregular blood pressure and fluctuating sugar levels can also be a result of exposure to loud noise. Doctors see constant headaches, mood disturbance, anger, and irritability as well among patients.

Most of the loudspeakers, as well as woofers that are played, have a sound of more than 100 decibels, which can lead to hearing troubles. Therefore, people should make sure they are not too close to loudspeakers during celebrations. Besides noise from loudspeakers, vehicular noise pollution affects the traffic police as they are constantly exposed to loud honking. Use of earplugs can help reduce the volume they are exposed to by 20 decibels. The use of dB Blockers can not only reduce the noise exposure but they can also contain a proprietary frequency tuned filter which allows interpersonal communication without removal. Learn More about dB Blockers.

While there is a time limit for use of loudspeakers, there is no authority to monitor their volume. Stringent measures should be taken by the government to control noise pollution. The traffic department could put up ‘No Honking’ and ‘Reduce Noise’ signboards in specific areas close to hospitals, schools, and homes. It is also important to create awareness among the people about the effects of loud noise and excessive honking.

Hearing Loss from Loud Noise: Festivities and Celebrations

What Decibel Level Causes Hearing Loss?

In order to avoid these dangerous sounds the best you can, you have to understand them the best you can. Decibels are how sounds are measured. Sounds of 76 decibels or more are unlikely to cause hearing loss, even when exposed for lengthy periods of time. That being said, long exposure to (or repeated) sounds of 85 decibels and above can most definitely cause hearing loss. The louder the sound gets will increase the chance of you receiving noise-induced hearing loss.

Here are a few examples of common decibel levels:

Refrigerator – 45 decibels
Conversation – 60 decibels
Motorcycle – 95 decibels
Headphones at maximum volume – 105 decibels
Firecrackers and gunshots – 150 decibels

Luckily, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) are in deep with the research on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of this type of hearing loss. Though NIHL isn’t the most common form of hearing loss, nor is it the most dangerous, however, it isn’t to be underestimated. Please take careful notice of this growing issue and adjust your listening closely.

FUN FACTS

New York City:

New York City is by far the most populous city in all of North America, at an estimated population of over 8.4 million people in 2013. The city is projected to have 55.8 million tourists in 2014, bringing in almost 153,000 extra people per day. In addition to the people, the constant yellow taxis, street construction, car alarms, nightclubs, subways and planes are enough to give any resident a constant headache. Mayor Bloomburg has even begun requiring police to set up checkpoints with handheld noise meters and to issue fines to those who violate noise policies.

Hyderabad:

On Diwali day, the particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) increased by 61 percent in Hyderabad and PM10 increased by 34 percent according to monitoring units assessed by Telangana State Pollution Control Board. PM2.5 was found to be 68 percent of PM10 when crackers were burst, whereas on normal days it was found to be 57 percent.

Now that we have Diwali and Halloween under our belt for 2018; there is still at least 2 more months of celebrations. With the several festivals around the corner, noise pollution could become a major challenge in the city. The increasing number of vehicles on the roads already contribute to the noise pollution in a big way. It’s high time we did something about this as some doctors & audiologist have seen an increase of eight to 10 patients every month with a hearing problem and this figure is rising due to lack of awareness.

Sources

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/091118/hyderabad-high-pollution-noise-recorded-on-diwali.html

https://citiquiet.com/the-top-10-noisiest-cities-in-the-world-2/

Hearing Loss: Swedish study finds improved hearing in older adults

October 22, 2018

Swedish study finds improved hearing in older adults, but hearing loss is still a worldwide issue.

Have the Swedish figured out the secret to preventing hearing loss?

Older adults in Sweden are hearing better than they were more than four decades ago, according to a May 2018 study published in Age and Ageing. The H70 study, part of a large-scale investigation initiated in the 1970s designed to study the medical and social effects of aging, found that hearing among 70-year-old residents of Gothenburg, Sweden had improved significantly in the last 45 years — especially among its men.

The comparison study tested hearing acuity in approximately 1,135 residents of Gothenburg born in 1944. When comparing the results to three previous studies of residents born in 1901, 1906 and 1922, the prevalence of hearing loss declined from 53 to 28% for men and 37 to 23% for women.

Hearing conservation

While Swedish researchers don’t know why hearing has improved in this population, they speculate the decrease among the male participants may be due to a reduction in occupational noise exposure. Most age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is thought to be due to a lifetime exposure to a noisy environment.

Men, especially those in this age group, have traditionally worked in occupations where noise levels exceeded current acceptable limits, such as in the mechanical and engineering industries. Hearing conservation programs were introduced in Sweden in the 1970s; however, the study’s authors caution further research is needed to determine possible reasons for this improvement.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common form of sensorineural hearing loss — and also the most preventable. Permanent damage to your hearing can occur when you’re exposed to noise levels over 85 decibels (dB) for an extended period of time or from a one-time exposure to a loud noise such as an explosion or gunshot. Hearing conservation can begin at any age, so follow these tips to reduce your risk from developing additional hearing loss due to NIHL:

If you’re still in the workplace and noise is a constant in your environment, talk to your supervisor about ways to decrease noise levels.
Keep the volume turned down on personal electronic devices, especially those you listen to through a headset or earphones. That goes for the volume on the television or car radio, too.
If you enjoy a hobby, such as car racing, music, or hunting, purchase the appropriate hearing protection and wear it. Insist that others in your family who enjoy similar noisy pastimes do the same.
If you know you’ll be attending an event where there will be lots of noise — such as a sporting event, parade, or fireworks celebration — invest in noise-canceling headphones or purchase inexpensive foam earplugs from the local drugstore.

Preventing Hearing Loss

While the results of this study provide a glimmer of hope, bear in mind that unlike the study population in Sweden, the prevalence of hearing loss in the United States is on the rise.

Hearing loss doesn’t discriminate based on age as it affects younger Americans than ever before. What this study does offer is even more evidence that hearing loss is not inevitable. The best treatment for many is prevention. Learn how to prevent hearing loss.

Keeping your hearing as healthy as possible begins by scheduling an appointment with a hearing healthcare professional for a baseline hearing evaluation. Results from this exam will be used to monitor your hearing health annually so that you can address any issues which may arise sooner rather than later. To find a hearing healthcare professional in your community, search our online directory of hearing centers.

Contributed by Debbie Clason, staff writer, Healthy Hearing
August 8, 2018

Noise pollution is worse than ever – here is how you can avoid it damaging your health

October 15, 2018

Noise pollution is a very real threat to your overall health – and it’s getting worse, according to a new report from the World Health Organisation.

The publication, released today, aim to tackle the serious implications noise pollution can have for one in five of us in Europe.

“Noise pollution in our towns and cities is increasing, blighting the lives of many European citizens,” said Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, the WHO’s regional director for Europe. More than a nuisance, excessive noise is a health risk.”

Exposure to excessive noise can lead to a number of conditions, cognitive impairment in children, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disease and tinnitus and annoyance, the report explains. Here’s how you can reduce your own exposure to noise, based on NHS guidelines for hearing:

1. Avoid loud noises

“The best way to avoid noise-induced hearing loss is to keep away from loud noise as much as you can,” the website advises.A quick test is, if you have to raise your voice to talk to others, it’s probably too loud. Ditto if your ears hurt, or if you have ringing in your ears afterwards.

2. Take care when listening to music

“Listening to loud music through earphones and headphones is one of the biggest dangers to your hearing,” says the NHS. Try purchasing a noise-cancelling pair, or maintaining the volume below 60% of its maximum capacity, the guidelines recommend. Another smart solution is to get personal hearing protection that can help cancel out harmful noises also.

3. Protect your hearing

Try to wear custom hearing protection or earplugs when you attend a nightclub or concert, to protect your ears from excessive noise. Alternatively, move away from loudspeakers and try to take a break from the noise every 15 minutes.

4. Take precautions at work

“Your employer is obliged to make changes to reduce your exposure to loud noise,” explains the website – so make sure you are provided with hearing protection such as ear muffs, custom molded hearing protection or earplugs if you need it, and be sure to wear it. We are seeing more of the industrial sectors purchase custom hearing protection for their workers because of long-term care and its sustainable for the environment. Learn more about dB Blockers.

hearing at work

5. Get your hearing tested

If you are worried you are losing your hearing, get a test. The NHS says: “The earlier hearing loss is picked up, the earlier something can be done about it.”

SOURCE

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/noise-pollution-worse-ever-can-avoid-damaging-health-113828163.html

October Is National Protect Your Hearing Month: Spread the Word!

October 2, 2018

Every Year a Noisy Planet and NIHL team up to spread the news about National Protect Your Hearing Month: October. So aside from the leaves turning red and yellow and kids dressing up to scare their friends – we would like to encourage you to also Spread The Word about National Protect Your Hearing month. Your hearing health is one of your 5 senses* and needs to be protected.

A Noisy Planet

During this year’s National Protect Your Hearing Month—observed each October—learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and help Noisy Planet spread the word about hearing health.

People of all ages can be affected by NIHL. Signs of NIHL may not be obvious at first, but they can build over time. A recent study shows that about 13 to 18 percent of children and teens ages 12 to 19 have signs of possible NIHL.

“Make healthy hearing a habit when you are young so that you can avoid NIHL. Exposure to loud sounds can have life-long consequences on your hearing, including making it difficult to communicate with others and to appreciate the sounds of nature and music,” says the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders’ acting director, Judith A. Cooper, Ph.D.

You can help prevent NIHL by making some simple changes to your lifestyle:

Turn down the volume. Set maximum volume limits on electronics and keep the volume low on music devices and TVs. Sounds at or above 85 A-weighted decibels put you at risk for NIHL, especially if they last a long time.
Move away from the noise. To reduce sound intensity and the impact of noise on your ears, increase the distance between you and the noise. Think of this simple step when you are near fireworks, concert speakers, or in a loud restaurant.
Wear hearing protectors, such as molded hearing protection, earplugs or earmuffs. Sometimes you can’t easily escape the sound, whether you’re at a movie theater, a concert, a sporting event, and in a noisy work environment. Earplugs or protective earmuffs can help. If you’re a parent, carry hearing protectors for your little ones and be a good hearing health role model by wearing them yourself. If you don’t have hearing protectors, cover your ears with your hands. Learn More about molded hearing protection.

Help spread the message about healthy hearing:

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month shareable image
How loud is too loud? bookmark (PDF – 1.2MB)

Five senses refers to the five traditionally recognized methods of perception, or sense: taste, sight, touch,smell, and sound.

How to Boost your Productivity at Work

September 24, 2018

Whether it’s the hot weather draining your energy, the memories of your summer holidays or your ‘to do’ list growing ever-longer, keeping motivated at work can be a tricky business. But being productive can be important for a number of reasons; from job satisfaction to keeping the boss happy, ploughing your way through the workload is a fundamental part of the job.

So here are our handy tips to improve productivity at work.

1. Be efficient

Just about every successful leader of the 21stCentury has preached the importance of efficiency. From Roald Dahl to Albert Einstein and other prominent figures, avoiding expending energy unnecessarily is key to getting the job done correctly and quickly.

Convoluted processes not only waste time but also can irritate and frustrate employees. Simplifying procedures, consulting with your staff and ensuring everyone is familiar with the methods will mean tasks get completed quickly and with minimal fuss.

2. Get the right equipment

If the staff doesn’t have the correct tools then carrying out tasks to a satisfactory level will be difficult, if not impossible. Of course, the correct tools will be specific to respective workplaces but in an office environment providing ergonomic chairs can make a real difference. Or if you working in an industrial workplace, it is important to have the correct personal protective equipment as well as all the sufficient tools to do your job. It also demonstrates to employees that their employers take an interest in their personal wellbeing.

In an environment that requires staff to be standing for long periods, then investing in anti-fatigue mats could be an option. These reduce aches and pains that can arise when standing for long periods as well as reducing the trip hazards at employee workstations. An independent study performed by Coba Europe found that 44% of those who used anti-fatigue matting considered it to have a direct impact on increased productivity levels. In environments where noise is above 85 decibels, it is vital to your employees hearing health that adequate hearing protection is provided, whether its molded hearing protection or hearing muffs – hearing protection can save a company millions of dollars in claims.

3. Take regular breaks

Taking a break away from your workstation might seem counter-intuitive to boost productivity but research shows it can actually improve concentration. There’s also the added bonus of reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and damage to eyesight.

You should encourage staff to take regular short breaks and provide a breakout area where people can sit, have a drink and take their mind off the job at hand for a moment.

4. Reduce distractions

In a world of connectivity, such as the one we live in, you’re never far away from a distraction. Whether it’s an email, social media, an advert trying to tempt you to part with your hard earned cash or something else, there’s a minefield of disruptions waiting to draw you in. When working on a project or something that requires high levels of concentration turn your phone off (or at least on to silent and out of reach), close down the application you use to receive emails and concentrate solely on the job you’re doing. If you work in a busy environment you might want to consider using earphones to listen to music or, if you find that a distraction too, ear plugs to dampen the ambient sounds. Learn more about custom hearing protection.

A happy workforce is a productive one. You can contribute to this by incentivizing staff with prizes and rewards. They don’t always have to be expensive; sometimes just publically recognizing an employee’s achievements can go a long way. Other popular methods include rewarding accomplishments with cash, additional holiday or other treats.

So, now you know how to get the most out of your time at work to ensure you do more than just ‘bring home the bacon’ each month.

Essential items in an engineer’s toolbox

September 11, 2018

Essential items in an engineer’s toolbox

Every mechanical engineer will need a trusty set of tools with them at all times to be able to complete even the most basic of tasks. Without the right tools, it is impossible to determine the problem in most cases, let alone fix it. Herein we explore the engineering tools that an engineer should never be without:

Personal protective equipment (Hearing and Eye Protection)

First and foremost every engineer should always have some personal protective equipment available for them to use in whatever situation they find themselves in. An engineer will not be allowed onto a site without a high-vis jacket and they may also need to have a hard hat and steel toe capped boots too. Engineers should also always have goggles and ear plugs with them to protect their eyes and ears while they are working. In the Industrial sectors, hearing protection is often overlooked as fundamental crucial protective equipment.

“Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the United States. Each year, about 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. Over 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to chemicals, some of which are harmful to the ear (ototoxic) and hazardous to hearing. In addition to damaging workers’ quality of life, occupational hearing loss carries a high economic price to society.”

Learn more about personal hearing protection.

Socket wrench

A socket wrench with a full set of sockets is essential in getting access to most jobs that will face a mechanical engineer so they should always ensure they are carrying these essential engineering tools. Carrying a small tin of oil can also be invaluable in releasing bolts that have been left sealed in the weather for a long period of time and make the difference between success and failure.

Security keys

Also important for access is having a set of security key bits to fit into a screwdriver. With a full range of screwdriver heads and security keys, an engineer should be able to get into whatever they need to identify the problem. Without the keys, however, access will often be impossible and another call out will be required.

Multimeter

A multimeter is very useful in helping you to identify electrical problems by testing different sections of wiring to see which are blocking the current. With a multimeter, a mechanical engineer can usually identify which bit of a system has broken to ensure the correct replacement parts are ordered.

Abrasives

Having a range of abrasive papers to hand will be very helpful for the mechanical engineer because it enables you to smooth and tweak fittings and fixtures. When making adjustments or replacing parts, burrs or protrusions can block movement, but having these lightweight abrasives to hand means that you can get rid of them to make it functional and safe.

Measuring devices

Measuring devices are also essential engineering tools because they allow the engineer to ensure accuracy first time. A tape measure, steel rule, and caliper set will allow the engineer to measure everything accurately so that they can replace the required part correctly the first time.

Assorted fittings

Carrying an assortment of fittings can also make the difference between being able to tackle a job first time around and having to return again to complete the job. The assorted fittings should include a range of common nuts, bolts, screws, washers and seals that are common in the industry the engineer is working in. It is important, however, to always ensure the materials are up to standard for the job and any seals meet the regulations before you fit them in place.

Stanley knife

Every engineer should also carry a sharp Stanley knife to help them to cut through anything they need to. A sharp knife can help in everything from releasing packaging to cutting materials for the repair and should always be carried in the toolbox.

An engineer should never be without these engineering tools that can get them access to the area they need to fix and give them the best chance of fixing it there and then. Without these tools, the engineer will be far more likely to have to return to finish the job and will find it harder to diagnose the problem too.

Although many of these items are significant when you least expect it – it is most important that Engineers has sufficient personal protective equipment before they start their work. Without proper hearing protection, eyewear protection and hand protection engineers are exposing themselves to long-term health issues that can equate to another CDC statistic; so protect yourself!

Hearing Loss in the Oil & Gas industry

August 30, 2018

More oil-and-gas drill workers are losing their hearing despite more of them using ear protection

Although more workers in the oil and gas drilling sector are using ear plugs than ever before, work-related hearing loss is on the rise. According to WorkSafeBC, hearing-test data shows that noise-induced hearing loss in the industry has gone up over the past five years, and more than half of the affected workers are under 35.

Due to high noise levels in the oil-and-gas industry, WorkSafeBC is warning that workers who don’t wear ear protection properly are at risk of permanently damaging their hearing.

Sasha Brown, a WorkSafeBC occupational audiologist, suspects it’s because hearing protection isn’t being used properly.“It does seem counterintuitive that people are wearing hearing protection and still getting hearing loss,” Brown said.

Using results collected by employers, the agency reports that in 2012, 33 percent of workers tested had some kind of hearing loss from their careers, and in 2017 the percentage of workers who had lost hearing on the job was 45 percent. At the same time, the percentage of workers using hearing protection rose from 94 to 98 percent. This stands in sharp contrast to other noisy work industries, for which, in 2017, only 13 percent of workers showed noise-induced hearing loss.

“People are wearing hearing protection, which is fantastic,” she said. However, because they’re still experiencing hearing loss, Brown said it’s clear that simply using hearing protection isn’t enough.
“Not only do you have to wear hearing protection but you have to wear it properly and you have to wear it all the time,” Brown said.

Hearing – WCB Regulation on Hearing Loss

According to WorkSafeBC regulations, employers in oil and gas drilling sector must provide yearly hearing tests for their workers and provide the results to the agency. While visiting oil and gas rigs up in Fort St. John last year, Brown saw many people using foam earplugs, but she said they were often inserted incorrectly.

“When the noise is as loud as it can be in oil and gas, that’s not enough (to just insert earplugs). I think part of the problem is we’re seeing this heavy reliance on those compressible foam earplugs, which can be excellent but they can also be worn improperly very, very easily,” Brown said.

According to WorkSafeBC safety instructions, foam earplugs must be properly squished down and rolled, and a person should pull their ear up and back before inserting it into the ear canal. When inserted properly, the earplugs shouldn’t be visible when looking at a person from the front. They also come in different sizes, Brown said, and if they’re too big or too small they can fall out easily. And, depending on noise levels, sometimes workers need to be wearing over-the-ear ear muffs in addition to the earplugs. Of the 294 B.C. oil-and-gas drilling workers who experienced hearing loss, 194 of them were 35-years-old or younger. And then there is custom hearing protection, fitting the ear close to perfect. They are snug and custom to the wearer’s ear. Learn More..

To remedy the issue, WorkSafeBC is releasing safety warning bulletins to workers and employers and it will continue to monitor the workers’ mandated yearly hearing tests.

SOURCE:

https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2018/08/24/more-oil-and-gas-drill-workers-are-losing-their-hearing-despite-more-of-them-using-ear-protection.html

Author: Tessa Vikander is a Vancouver-based reporter covering identity and inequality.

Hearing Protection You Can Hear Through: Communication

July 12, 2018

Good communication is critical in every workplace.

But communicating can be challenging at a noisy job sites, where it’s necessary to protect workers’ hearing. Disposable hearing protectors, when properly inserted, block much of the sound, rendering users functionally deaf. To converse, In order to have a conversation, the earplugs must first be removed. This leaves the workers exposed to harmful noise levels, which can damage their hearing.

Our Solution: dB Com™

At Custom Protect Ear, we address this problem. That’s why we developed our super-comfortable dB Blockers, re-usable, personalized custom-fit earplugs which protect AND connect, through our proprietary “frequency tuned”, or “FT” filters.

Developed specifically for noisy industrial sites that demand frequent communication, these FT filters block background noise while letting speech frequencies pass through, amplifying the speaker’s voice by 3 decibels. The users actually hear speech better with dB Blockers in, then by taking them out.

Safety, compliance, and productivity go up while the risk of miscommunication falls.

dB Blockers can also be connected to numerous communication devices, including two-way radios, Bluetooth cell phones, and portable audio components. This further reduces the need to remove dB Blockers, so employees can hear…be heard…and stay protected for their entire shift. In conclusion, only dB Blockers allow you to communicate while leaving protection in your ears.

“PROTECTION YOU CAN HEAR THROUGH”

Watch Video on YouTube

Noise-related hearing loss – Overview of Custom Protect Ear

July 6, 2018

Noise-related hearing loss is one of the most common occupational hazards affecting 25% of US workers. It’s the third most prevalent chronic condition in older adults and the most widespread disability. Repetitive, excessive noise is the main contributor to long-term hearing problems. It’s also a dangerous distraction, one that can cause other, more immediate and serious workplace accidents.

In response, many businesses use disposable earplugs to protect their employee’s hearing.

But if the earplugs don’t fit properly…

are uncomfortable
or prevent the employee from communicating
they may leave the employee’s hearing at risk.

Custom Protect Ear’s Mission is to eliminate Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Our dB Blockers address all these issues to deliver three key benefits. First, dB Blockers are extremely comfortable – which means people are willing to wear them, for their entire shift. Second, people wearing dB Blockers hear each other better – which improves workplace safety, communication and productivity. And third, dB Blockers are more cost-effective than disposable hearing protectors, so you pay less for a better product.

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO ON NOISE RELATED HEARING LOSS

How do we do it? We focus only on custom hearing protection

It starts with more than 40 years of research and development in hearing loss prevention.

That dedication has enabled us to make significant technological advancements in hearing protection, earn ISO 9001 certification and deliver a complete portfolio of products to more than 4500 international businesses in a broad range of industries. One of the keys is our custom-fit program, available throughout North America and internationally.

All dB Blockers are custom-fit to each user’s ear.

They’re also made from a super-soft, medical-grade SkinSoft silicone. This makes them exceptionally comfortable while providing a perfect seal, for excellent hearing protection. An exact fit also means dB Blockers provide excellent noise protection while eliminating itching… painful pressure points…and the need to wear bulky ear muffs. And, they come in a wide range of models, so you can choose the dB Blockers that match your workplace needs. You can also use the serial number to order a pair of dB Blockers for home, sleeping, swimming, or listening to music.

In addition to being extremely comfortable, dB Blockers are technologically advanced. Every pair of vented dB Blockers employs our proprietary “FT filters”. These work to block out background noise, while honing in on the frequency range of the human voice. As a result, people can hear each other better with dB Blockers, than without them.

People working in noise also prefer dB Blockers because they can be connected to numerous communication devices, including

two-way radios
Bluetooth cell phones and
other audio components and devices.

Since employees don’t have to remove dB blockers to communicate with co-workers Or while talking on the phone or radio, their hearing is protected for an entire shift.

Finally, because dB Blockers can be worn for years, they provide significant cost savings over disposables.

That means you’ll save money while increasing compliance…

improving workplace safety…
enhancing communications…
and boosting productivity.

Smart, right?

Custom Protect Ear, the North American Leader in industrial, custom hearing protection.

Because when you think about it, everything else… is just noise.

Timber, Noise, and Hearing Loss: A Look into the Forestry and Logging Industry

June 13, 2018

Timber, Noise, and Hearing Loss: A Look into the Forestry and Logging Industry

We use our senses for many things. Take away or weaken one, such as hearing, and many things around us begin to change. Unexpectedly, the conversation across the room becomes more difficult to hear. Our favorite song on the radio doesn’t sound quite the same. This can become very frustrating for the person affected.

Hearing loss is common, especially among workers who are exposed to hazardous noise where they work. What exactly is “hazardous noise”? Noise is considered hazardous when it reaches 85 decibels (dBA) or more. In other words, when a person needs to raise his/her voice to speak with someone at arm’s length or about 3 feet away, a person is likely being exposed to noise that can potentially damage his/her hearing over time. This exposure to hazardous noise and/or chemicals that can damage hearing may lead to hearing loss linked to the workplace, also known as occupational hearing loss.

The risk of developing hearing loss varies by industry. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently looked at one particular industry sector in its paper: Prevalence of hearing loss among noise-exposed workers within the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting sector, 2003-2012. This study looked at the number of workers in this industry sector that had a material hearing impairment, which is hearing loss that interferes with understanding speech. We’ll call it hearing loss in this blog.

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting is among the top industry sectors for worker exposure to hazardous noise that can contribute to hearing loss (37% exposed vs. 25% for all industries combined). Hearing loss within Forestry and Logging, an industry within this sector, is more pervasive. Noise-exposed workers in Forestry and Logging had a higher percentage of hearing loss (21%) than all noise-exposed industries combined (19%). To put this into perspective, a different study found that only 7% of non-noise-exposed workers reported hearing difficulty. Worker tasks in Forestry and Logging include:

managing forest nurseries
tending to timber tracts (plots of land selected for collecting timber)
gathering forest products
harvesting standing trees for timber

Activities associated with these tasks, such as unlatching cables used to hold and move logs (92 dBA) and the use of chainsaws (91-110 dBA), represent some of the highest noise exposures to this industry’s workers, and overall average exposures in some occupations have been shown to range from 97-102 dBA. These noise exposures, among others, contribute to the elevated prevalence of hearing loss seen in this industry.

Within Forestry and Logging, Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products had the highest prevalence of hearing loss (36%). This represents the highest prevalence within Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting.

Fortunately, there are effective methods for preventing worker hearing loss from noise. Reducing the noise, preferably at the source, is always the first and best step. To further reduce worker exposure to hazardous noise and minimize hearing loss within Forestry and Logging, this industry can:

Enclose engines and heavy equipment workstations to contain the noise
Install silencers and mufflers on equipment
Reduce exposure time for workers operating noisy equipment
Perform maintenance of hand tools and vehicle systems
Ensure that workers consistently wear properly-fitted hearing protection every time they are in noisy areas or using noisy equipment
Make sure that employees receive regular monitoring for changes in their hearing, so that additional measures to limit the progression of any detected hearing loss can be taken

There are also activities within Forestry and Logging that can expose workers to vibration, which may also contribute to the risk of hearing loss through suspected changes to the blood-flow within the inner ear. Vibration exposure can be reduced through routine maintenance of equipment and the use of anti-vibration chainsaws and gloves.

Visit our website for more information on occupational hearing loss surveillance and links to resources to protect worker hearing.

If you work in this industry, please share your experiences with reducing noise and improving worker safety and health.

SOURCE

Timber, Noise, and Hearing Loss: A Look into the Forestry and Logging Industry