Recognizing noise exposure hazards
OSHA requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program when noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over 8 working hours, or an 8-hour time-weighted average. Shorter exposures to louder environments can also trigger the hearing conservation requirements, such as two hours of exposure at 100 decibels.
Hearing conservation programs involve training, hearing tests, and protective devices to prevent hearing loss.
If you need to raise your voice to speak to someone 3 feet away, noise levels might be over 85 decibels. Other indicators that noise levels may be a problem in your workplace could be if you:
- Hear ringing or humming in your ears when you leave work.
- Have to shout to be heard by a coworker an arm’s length away.
- Experience temporary hearing loss when leaving work.
Several sound-measuring instruments are available to measure the noise levels in a workspace. In addition, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers a Sound Level Meter App available to download. The app measures sound levels and provides noise exposure parameters to help reduce noise-induced hearing loss.
Exposure to loud noise kills the nerve endings in the inner ear. Continued exposure will result in more dead nerve endings. The result is permanent hearing loss that cannot be corrected through surgery or with medicine. Noise-induced hearing loss limits your ability to hear high frequency sounds and understand speech, which seriously impairs your ability to communicate.