Is Your Hearing Protected? - Your hearing professionals in noise protection and prevention
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Is Your Hearing
Protected?
Your hearing professionals in
noise protection and prevention
HL - Industrial Noise Brochure.indd 1 06/15/2021 11:18:11 AM
What Constitutes Loud Noise?
Noise can be harmful virtually anywhere. everyday lives more often than you might
The blast of a gun can cause instant think! Over time, exposing ourselves to loud
impairment, whereas the steady drone of noise can lead to hearing loss and Tinnitus
heavy machinery can do damage over time. (a permanent ringing or buzzing in the
ears). There is no cure for noise-induced
Sounds are considered harmful when
hearing loss; however it is completely
they exceed 85 dB SPL, which is similar
preventable by eliminating or controlling
to the loudness of heavy traffic. Sound
noise exposure.
levels can soar to dangerous levels in our
Occupations with a higher risk of noise induced hearing loss are:
• Farmers • Truck drivers • Night club workers
• Miners • Airport ground crew • Emergency services
• Construction workers • Military personnel • Dentists
• Factory workers • Musicians
06/15/2021 11:21:40 AM
What Does The Law Say?
As of July 1 st , 2016, all Ontario employers are
required to comply with a new workplace noise
regulation under the Occupational Health and
Safety Act.
DECIBEL - dB(A) EQUIPMENT
112 Pile driver
110 Air arching gouging
Double protection
108 Impact wrench
recommended
above 105 dB(A) 107 Bulldozer - no muffle
102-104 Air grinder
102 Crane - uninsulated cab
101-103 Bulldozer - no cab
97 Chipping concrete
96 Circular saw & hammering
96 Jack hammer
96 Quick-cut saw
95 Masonry saw
94 Compactor - no cab
90 Crane - insulted cab
Hearing protection 87 Loader/backhoe - insulated cab
recommended
above 85 dB(A) 86 Grinder
85-90 Welding machine
85 Bulldozer - insulated cab
60-70 Speaking voice
OHSA Standard
If 8-hour average exceeds 85 dBA then the employer must:
1. Monitor (measure) exposure and notify employee of the results
2. Provide audiometric testing
3. Provide training
4. Keep records of monitoring and audiometric testing
HL - Industrial Noise Brochure.indd 3 06/15/2021 11:22:23 AM
For The Employer
The REAL cost of noise-induced
hearing loss (NIHL)
Noise induced hearing loss is one of the fastest
growing occupational diseases in Ontario with
claims exceeding 50 million a year.
If your workplace does not have the proper
hearing conversation program, you could be
affecting more than just your worker’s hearing.
Here is the real cost to your business:
• Increased fatigue
• Decreased concentration
• Increased on the job injuries
• Decreased productivity
?
• Increased risk management costs
• Increased anxiety, depression, stress, and
overall poorer health
Hearing Protection that is NOT worn is USELESS.
The bottom line is the worker’s preference.
Providing different types of hearing protection that
workers can choose from will increase compliance.
“ Noise-induced hearing loss is the
most common and permanent
occupational injury in the world. ” World Health Organization
HL - Industrial Noise Brochure.indd 4 06/15/2021 11:23:07 AM
For The Employee
42% of Canadians have worked or currently work
in a noisy environment and noise-induced hearing
loss is on the rise. One million Canadians have
irreversible hearing loss from noise.
How loud is too loud? If there is too much noise,
this is how you will experience it:
• You cannot hear someone talking – even though
they are within an arm’s length away
• You hear ringing or buzzing in your ears during
or immediately after exposure to noise
• Your ears hurt after leaving a noisy area
• After exposure to noise, you can hear people
talking but you cannot understand them
• If you’re removing your foam plugs to
communicate you are NOT protected
How to protect your ears?
• Use hearing protection!
• Try to limit your exposure to loud noise. If you can, eliminate or reduce the source of the noise.
• Take 15 minute breaks from the noise source at regular intervals.
HL - Industrial Noise Brochure.indd 5
How To Protect Your Ears
If an earplug is only used 80% of the time, it will Proper technique for inserting earplugs
only provide 7 decibels of protection (see table
below). Compare that to 33 decibels of protection Right Ear:
if earplugs are worn 100% of the time. • Reach left hand around back of head
• Pull right ear upwards with the left hand to
Ear-buds or headsets used with radios, MP3 straighten S-shaped ear canal
players are NOT to be used as hearing protection
or a replacement to hearing protection.
• Insert plug with right hand according to the
manufacturer’s instruction (may need to roll or
compress earplug before inserting)
Length of Maximum protection • Follow same procedure for left ear only
time worn (%) (dB) opposite hand/ear
30 1.5
40 2.2
50 3
60 4
70 5
80 7
90 10
95 13
99 20
100 33
“ Even relatively small openings or air leaks in the seal
between the hearing protection and the skin can
typically reduce attenuation by 5 to 15 dB or more. ”
HL - Industrial Noise Brochure.indd 6 06/15/2021 11:23:54 AM
Hearing Protection For All Occasions
Disposable earplugs
• Made of foam or silicone
• One size fits all
• Over the counter
• 29 dB NRR only if inserted properly
Reusable plugs
• Rubber or silicone
• Cone shaped with/without a safety cord
• Clean with soap and water
• 25 dB NRR
Earmuffs
• Cushioned earmuffs or headphones
• Purchased at sporting goods, safety
equipment stores and all HearingLife clinics
across Canada
• Can be combined with earplugs for
double protection
• 25-30 dB NRR
Custom-fit earplugs
• Best option if regular protection is needed
• Made of high grade silicone
• Variety of styles for all kinds of activities
and occupations
• 26 dB NRR
• The only option that allows you to hear
conversation around you and STILL be protected
from harmful noise levels (i.e., noisebraker).
HearingLife is available to do on-site or in-office custom
impressions, for small or large businesses, who are interested
in providing their employees with custom fit earplugs.
HL - Industrial Noise Brochure.indd 7 06/15/2021 11:24:13 AM
Check Your Hearing
• Anyone exposed to loud noise should have a baseline hearing test and monitor
their hearing annually.
• Even if you have not been exposed to loud noise, a baseline hearing test is
recommended for all adults.
• A hearing test is painless, takes less than an hour and will reveal whether there is any
real cause for concern.
Services we offer:
• Industrial hearing tests
• Custom hearing protection
• Counseling on hearing prevention
and hearing conservation
HL - Industrial Noise Brochure.indd 8 06/15/2021 11:25:15 AM
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