Connecting the Worker to Hearing Protection

• Published in: EHS Today
• Main Author: Witt, Brad
• Format: Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nashville Endeavor Business Media 10-05-2017
• Subjects: Appointments & personnel changes; Conservation; Dosimetry; Employees; Hearing loss; Hearing protection; Noise; Occupational hazards; Personal protective equipment; Radio communications; Test systems; Workers
• ISSN: 1945-9599; 1931-6739

Since the inception of hearing conservation regulations hatched in the 1970's, efforts to stop noise-induced hearing loss always have been tied to a lagging indicator - namely, audiometric testing. If repeated audiometric testing indicates a progression of hearing loss among noise-exposed workers, then we know something is amiss in the hearing conservation program. In the last decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported rates of hearing loss in private industry as being nearly flat1 - not the hoped-for loss prevention that the 1983 Hearing Conservation Amendment was intended to inspire. [...]the hearing protector would document its own effectiveness. In a Best Practice Bulletin published by an OSHA Alliance of hearing conservation professionals, seven benefits of fit-testing of hearing protectors were defined.2 The bulletin endorses fit-test systems for their value in assisting to select proper protection, train workers in proper fitting techniques and re-fit workers whose audiometric results demonstrate a shift in hearing. In a NIOSH field study exploring why noise-exposed workers don't wear their hearing protection, the primary reason given was the workers' fear that it would interfere with communication and job performance.3 The problem especially is acute for workers with an existing hearing loss. "Best Practice Bulletin: Hearing Protection-Emerging Trends: Individual Fit Testing." http://www.howardleight.com/images/pdf/0000/0404/AllianceRecommendationForFitTesting_Final.pdf 3Morata, T., "Issues Regarding Hearing Protection Device Use in Manufacturing and Mining," Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 112(5):2295-2295 (Nov 2002).