Hearing Conservation: It's Not Just for the Workplace Anymore

Workers continue to suffer noise-induced hearing loss at alarming rates. The cost of noise-induced hearing loss in the US is now measured in billions of dollars annually. Risks for noise-induced hearing loss can be just as prevalent off the job as on the job, and are often a lot less noticeable. Asi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Occupational Hazards Vol. 68; no. 9; p. 45
Main Author:	Witt, Brad
Format:	Trade Publication Article
Language:	English
Published:	Cleveland Informa 01-09-2006
Subjects:	Conservation Corporate liability Ears & hearing Employees Employers Firearms Guidelines Hearing loss Hearing protection Liability Off site Safety management Signs Workers United States > US
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Workers continue to suffer noise-induced hearing loss at alarming rates. The cost of noise-induced hearing loss in the US is now measured in billions of dollars annually. Risks for noise-induced hearing loss can be just as prevalent off the job as on the job, and are often a lot less noticeable. Aside from a healthier worker, liability is one major reason why an employer should be concerned about an employee's noise exposure off the job. OSHA-required audiometric testing of exposed workers does not differentiate between occupational and non-occupational noise damage, so employers assume much of the liability for off-the-job noise damage. Managers of effective hearing conservation programs recommend the following strategies to bridge that gap from workplace to personal life: 1. Know your decibels. 2. Fit training. 3. Include non-occupational examples in training. 4. Select hearing protectors.
ISSN:	0029-7909 1931-6739