PERMANENT HEARING LOSS

Noise pollution is quickly approaching epidemic proportions, since hearing loss is so subtle people are frequently affected without even noticing. Noise-induced hearing loss is a cumulative and permanent sensory-neural hearing loss that develops over days, weeks, or even years of excessive noise exposure.

HEARING CONSERVATION LEGISLATION

The hearing conservation amendment requires employers to monitor all employees exposed to noise levels between 80 dB and 130 dB. The following chart shows the maximum exposure time allowed at the given decibel level without hearing protection. As this chart reflects, there are debates within the controlling agencies as to just how loud “too loud” is. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the strictest guidelines, claiming noise exposure more than 76 dB over an 8-hour period is unhealthy.

IMPROVE YOUR HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Due to the complex nature of noise-related medical problems we encourage educating employees about noise-induced medical problems and the associated consequences. Don’t let the employees or the customers just guess if the noise level bothers their ears. Improve your company-wide hearing conservation program with the monitor that shows just how loud it is.