Hearing Conservation

High noise levels can damage hearing, especially if these levels are experienced over a long period of time. The Environmental Health and Safety Office provides noise level surveys on an as requested basis, and when determined to be needed based on observation and inspection. If you have a noisy area, please feel free to call us for assistance in determining whether the levels are too high. Some suspect activities include construction noise, use of heavy equipment, working in machine rooms, and certain operations, such as sanding, grinding, and jackhammer.

EHS has been contacted occasionally during construction activity outside which disturbs occupants of adjacent buildings. While these activities do not meet the OSHA criteria of excessive noise exposure, they can have an impact on the affected individuals. Any noise over normal background levels can interfere with speech, cause a stress reaction, lower morale, reduce efficiency, cause annoyance, interfere with concentration, and cause fatigue. Community noise levels in industrial areas are typically set at 61 dBA during the day. Administrators and managers should keep this in mind during periods of construction in adjacent areas.

A good source of information on noise and hearing conservation is the OSHA web site:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html

The following information was extracted from LSU’s Safety Manual:

Standards

Time-weighted average (TWA) noise limits as a function of exposure duration are shown as follows:

 

* No exposure to continuous or intermittent noise in excess of 115 dB(A).

** Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.

*** No exposure to continuous, intermittent, or impact noise in excess of a peak C-weighted level of 140 dB.

• The OSHA regulation has an additional action level of 85 dB(A) which stipulates that an employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program when the TWA value exceeds the action level. The program must include monitoring, employee notification, observation, an audiometric testing program, hearing protectors, training programs, and recordkeeping requirements.
• The OSHA noise standard also states that when workers are exposed to noise levels in excess of the OSHA PEL of 90 dB(A), feasible engineering or administrative controls shall be implemented to reduce the workers' exposure levels. Also, a continuing, effective hearing conservation program shall be implemented.

Effects

Auditory Effects

• Chronic noise-induced hearing loss is a permanent sensorineural condition that cannot be treated medically. It is initially characterized by a declining sensitivity to high-frequency sounds, usually at frequencies above 2,000 Hz.
• Exposure of a person with normal hearing to workplace noise at levels equal to or exceeding the PEL may cause a shift in the worker's hearing threshold. Such a shift is called a standard (or significant) threshold shift and is defined as a change in hearing thresholds of an average 10 dB or more at 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 Hz in either ear. Workers experiencing significant threshold shifts are required by 29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8) to be fitted with hearing protectors and to be trained in their use.
• Extra-auditory Effects. In addition to effects on hearing, noise:
  • Interferes with speech;
  • Causes a stress reaction;
  • Interferes with sleep;
  • Lowers morale;
  • Reduces efficiency;
  • Causes annoyance;
  • Interferes with concentration; and
  • Causes fatigue.

Noise/Hearing Loss

Noise-induced loss of hearing is an irreversible, sensorineural condition that progresses with exposure. Although hearing ability declines with age (presbycusis) in all populations, exposure to noise produces hearing loss greater than that resulting from the natural aging process. This noise induced loss is caused by damage to nerve cells of the inner ear (cochlea) and, unlike some conductive hearing disorders, cannot be treated medically. While loss of hearing may result from a single exposure to a very brief impulse noise or explosion, such traumatic losses are rare. In most cases, noise-induced hearing loss is insidious. Typically, it begins to develop at 4000 or 6000 Hz (the hearing range is 20 Hz to 20000 Hz) and spreads to lower and higher frequencies. Often, material impairment has occurred before the condition is clearly recognized. Such impairment is usually severe enough to permanently affect a person's ability to hear and understand speech under everyday conditions. Although the primary frequencies of human speech range from 200 Hz to 2000 Hz, research has shown that the consonant sounds, which enable people to distinguish words such as "fish" from "fist" have still higher frequency components.

The A-weighted decibel [dB(A)] is the preferred unit for measuring sound levels to assess worker noise exposures. The decibel unit is dimensionless, and represents the logarithmic relationship of the measured sound pressure level to an arbitrary reference sound pressure (20 micropascals, the normal threshold of human hearing at a frequency of 1000 Hz). Decibel units are used because of the very large range of sound pressure levels which are audible to the human ear. The dB(A) scale is weighted to approximate the sensory response of the human ear to sound frequencies. Because the dB(A) scale is logarithmic, increases of 3 dB(A),10 dB(A), and 20 dB(A) represent a doubling, tenfold increase, and 100-old increase of sound energy, respectively. It should be noted that noise exposures expressed in decibels cannot be averaged by taking the simple arithmetic mean.

The OSHA standard for occupational exposure to noise (29 CFR 1910.95)38 specifies a maximum PEL of 90 dB(A)-slow response for a duration of eight hours per day. The regulation, in calculating the PEL, uses a 5 dB time/intensity trading relationship, or exchange rate. This means for a person to be exposed to noise levels of 95 dB(A), the amount of time allowed at this exposure level must be cut in half in order to be within OSHA's PEL. Conversely, a person exposed to 85 dB(A) is allowed twice as much time at this level (16 hours) and is within his daily PEL. NIOSH, in its Criteria for a Recommended Standard,39 proposes an exposure limit of 85 dB(A) for 8 hours, 5 dB less than the OSHA standard. In 1995, NIOSH recommended a 3 dB exchange rate. In 1994, the ACGIH changed its TLV to a more protective 85 dB(A) for an 8-hour exposure, with the stipulation that a 3 dB exchange rate be used to calculate time-varying noise exposures. Thus, a worker can be exposed to 85 dB(A) for 8 hours, but to only 88 dB(A) for 4 hours or 91 dB(A) for 2 hours.

Program Requirements for Occupational Noise Exposure

• Noise, or unwanted sound, is one of the most pervasive occupational health problems. It is a by-product of many industrial processes. Sound consists of pressure changes in a medium (usually air), caused by vibration or turbulence. These pressure changes produce waves emanating away from the turbulent or vibrating source. Exposure to high levels of noise causes hearing loss and may cause other harmful health effects as well. The extent of damage depends primarily on the intensity of the noise and the duration of the exposure. Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. Temporary hearing loss results from short term exposures to noise, with normal hearing returning after a period of rest. Generally, prolonged exposure to high noise levels over a period of time gradually causes permanent damage. OSHA's hearing conservation program is designed to protect workers with significant occupational noise exposures from suffering material hearing impairment even if they are subject to such noise exposures over their entire working lifetimes. 

• Monitoring
  The hearing conservation program requires employers to monitor noise exposure levels in a manner that will accurately identify employees who are exposed to noise at or above 85 decibels (dB) averaged over 8 working hours, or an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA.) That is, employers must monitor all employees whose noise exposure is equivalent to or greater than a noise exposure received in 8 hours where the noise level is constantly 85 dB. The exposure measurement must include all continuous, intermittent, and impulsive noise within an 80 dB to 130 dB range and must be taken during a typical work situation. This requirement is performance-oriented since it allows employers to choose the monitoring method that best suits each individual situation. Monitoring should be repeated when changes in production, process, or controls increase noise exposure. Such changes may mean that additional employees need to be monitored and/or their hearing protectors may no longer provide adequate attenuation.

  Under this program, employees are entitled to observe monitoring procedures and they must be notified of the results of exposure monitoring. The method used to notify employees is left to the discretion of the employers.

  Instruments used for monitoring employee exposures must be carefully checked or calibrated to ensure that the measurements are accurate. Calibration procedures are unique to specific instruments. Employers have the duty to ensure that the measuring instruments are properly calibrated. They may find it useful to follow the manufacturer's instruction to determine when and how extensively to calibrate.

  NIOSH and other developers have Apps that can be downloaded on a personal phone to detect for noise levels. These apps are good screening tools; however, since they cannot be calibrated with reliability they do not replace more advanced meters. Additionally expertise in a noise investigation by a trained safety professional is needed to ensure the testing is being conducted in accordance with established methodology. B

• Noise - Training Information
  Supervisors and exposed workers must become aware of and understand about the adverse effects of noise and how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. People exposed to hazardous noise must take positive action, if progressive permanent hearing loss is to be prevented. Each exposed worker and supervisor should know the following:
  • Noise exposure may result in permanent damage to the auditory system and there is no medical or surgical treatment for this type of hearing loss. Though the use of a hearing aid may provide some benefit, normal hearing will not be restored. Many people don't realize loud sounds can cause hearing loss. Furthermore, in its initial stages, the person may not notice a problem since noise-induced hearing loss is invisible, painless, and occurs in the high frequencies. It is dangerous to ignore the temporary characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss (such as ringing or buzzing in the ears, excessive fatigue, etc.).
  • Each person should know how to recognize hazardous noise even if a noise survey has not been conducted an/or warning signs posted. Recognizing and understanding the adverse effects of off-duty noise exposures is also important. The best rule to follow is: "If you have to shout at arms length (approximately three feet) to talk face-to-face, you are probably being exposed to hazardous levels of noise."
  • Preventing noise-induced hearing loss is accomplished by reducing both the time and intensity of exposure. Reducing exposure time is accomplished by avoiding any unnecessary exposure to loud sound. Reducing intensity is usually accomplished by wearing personal hearing protection. Each person must be able to properly wear and care for the particular type of hearing protection selected. Speech communication is difficult in high intensity noise. However, most people don't realize it's easier to understand speech if hearing protection is worn in a hazardous noise environment. Hearing protection reduces the noise and the level of speech, resulting in a more favorable listening level. hearing protection reduces the intensity of frequencies above the speech range; thus, reducing the noise and accentuating speech. People who claim wearing hearing protection makes it difficult to hear speech are probably in noise levels less than 85 dBA or have already developed a hearing loss.
  • Each person must know how to tell if they have been overexposed to loud sound. Overexposure may occur even while wearing hearing protection. Earplugs and/or earmuffs alone may not be enough protection. Each time a temporary threshold shift (TSS) occurs, a certain degree of permanent loss results. The recognizable symptoms of overexposure are described as "dullness in hearing or ringing in the ears."
• General Program Management
  • Deans, Directors, Department Chairs, Principal Investigators, Managers and Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that noise hazards which may contribute to occupational hearing loss in there areas are evaluated.2) Occupational & Environmental Safety is responsible for:
    • Monitoring and evaluating noise sources upon request.
    • Providing training for potentially noise exposed individuals upon request.
  • Workers responsibilities include the following:
    • Learn about the potential hazards of noise exposure and follow the rules when around or operating noisy equipment.
    • Wear or use prescribed protective equipment.
    • Refrain from operating equipment without proper training or equipment that has safety defects.
    • Attended training sessions for hazardous noise exposures.
    • Be aware of the noise producing capabilities of equipment they are around or use.

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