Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Its Prevention (cont.)
What are the common problems with hearing protectors?
Studies have shown that one-half of the workers wearing hearing protectors
receive only one-half or less of the noise reduction potential of their
protectors. This diminished protection occurs because these devices either are
not worn continuously while exposed to noise or they do not fit properly.
As previously mentioned, a hearing protector can give an average of 30 dB
noise reduction if worn continuously during an 8-hour workday. If taken off for
just one hour while exposed to noise, however, such a protector would provide
only an average of 9 dB of protection during the 8 hours. This substantial
reduction in protection occurs because with the logarithmic scale used to
measure decibels, a 10-times increase in noise energy occurs for each 10 dB
increase in sound. Thus, during the hour with unprotected ears, the worker is
exposed to 1,000 times more sound energy than if earplugs or muffs had been
worn. (For the 30 dB, 10 x 10 x 10 = 1000 times more noise.)
In addition, noise exposure is cumulative. So, the noise at home or at play
must be counted in the total exposure during any one day. A maximum allowable
on-the-job exposure followed by further exposure at home to a noisy lawnmower or
loud music will definitely exceed the safe daily limit.
Even if earplugs and/or earmuffs are worn continuously while exposed to
noise, they do little good if there is an incomplete air seal between the
hearing protector and the skin. As mentioned above, when using ordinary hearing
protectors, it is common to hear one's voice as louder and deeper. This
plugged ear effect can actually be taken as a useful sign that the hearing
protectors are properly positioned.
Do hearing protectors prevent a person from communicating with others?
The answer is no, at least for people with normal hearing. In fact, just as
sunglasses help vision in very bright light, hearing protectors enhance speech
understanding in very noisy places. Even in a quiet setting, a normal-hearing
person wearing hearing protectors should be able to understand a regular
conversation.
Hearing protectors do slightly reduce the ability of
those with damaged hearing or poor comprehension of language to understand
normal conversation. Nevertheless, it is essential that persons with impaired hearing wear earplugs
or earmuffs to prevent further inner ear damage from noise.
It has been argued that hearing protectors might reduce a worker's ability
to hear the noises that signify an improperly functioning machine. Most workers,
however, readily adjust to the quieter sounds and can still detect such
problems.
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