Training Series (Year 3)

1.     What is Hearing Conservation?

Protecting your hearing from potentially damaging levels of noise.

2.     Why is Hearing Conservation important to me?

Because your hearing is priceless and a noise induced hearing loss is never reversible but, it is stoppable.

3.     What is the loudest recreational noise you are exposed to?

Remember, 80% of the noise induced hearing losses in America today is caused by two (2) events, loud music and gunfire.

4.     What is considered loud?

Any sound, whether continuous or impact, above 85 dB will damage your hearing over a period of time.

5.     How do I find out how loud it is in my work area?

Check with your Safety Director or Plant Manager. This is open information to any employee.

6.     How do I know if I am getting a noise induced hearing loss?

A noise induced hearing loss generally happens gradually, 10 to 15 years, and usually begins in the, 3-4 thousand Hz frequencies. Conversations in crowds will become hard to understand, you will have to turn the TV or radio up past normal just to understand it. But, the purpose of the audiometric testing is to spot potential problems before they become severe.

7.     What kind of Hearing Protection Devices (HPD’s) do you wear?

HPD’s come as earplugs, semi-aural devices or earmuffs. Each type has its own noise reduction rating (NRR). The NRR is how much noise those protectors will effectively attenuate when worn properly.

8.     How will I know I am in a loud noise area away from work?

Anytime background noise keeps you from hearing or understanding normal speech from three feet away and anytime noises cause your ears to ring.

We cannot help everyone because there are some who just don’t care. But if you do care about protecting your hearing, by wearing your HPD’s when you are supposed to and how you are supposed to, the chances of you getting a noise induced hearing loss are almost zero.