Page 50 - Occupational Health & Safety, October 2018

HEARING PROTECTION
Tips for Selecting and Ensuring Effective Hearing Protection
Our sense of hearing is invaluable both on the job and off. Not only does it serve to keep us safe from nearby hazards, it enables us to experience the world around us and com-
municate with others. It’s also fragile and can be taken for granted.
Exposure to loud noises reduces our ability to hear and can even lead to complete hearing loss. Unlike most injuries, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is painless, progressive and permanent, often going un- noticed until hearing loss has progressed substantially.
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss affects 24 percent of U.S. workers today. It’s also the No. 1 most common and preventable workplace injury. Caused by cumulative exposure to loud noise or a single ex- posure to impact noise, the severity of NIHL is also influenced by the duration of noise and an individual’s proximity to its source. NIHL can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears), limited ability to understand speech, impaired ability to communicate, reduced productivity and so- cial isolation and withdrawal.
Despite employers’ best controls, noise is difficult to eliminate from many environments. For the 22 mil- lion workers exposed to hazardous noise each year, finding effective hearing protection solutions they’ll use—consistently and correctly—is vital.
According to OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.95(i)(3), it is the employer’s responsibility to provide a variety of suitable hearing protection devices. But given the myriad solutions available, making informed selec- tions can be daunting. This article explores the avail- able options so you can help workers achieve depend- able hearing protection and avoid the life-altering effects of NIHL.
Ear Plugs
Ear canals are as unique to an individual as finger-
prints. Finding a comfortable, properly fitting and protective ear plug is equally as individual. For this reason, ear plugs are available in a wide variety of siz- es, styles and materials; each has its specific attributes. When selecting ear plugs, offer an array of options so workers can try different types and select a personally suitable solution.
Roll-downs
Roll-downs are single-use, disposable ear plugs. Made of foam, they are very pliable and generally al- low users to achieve good control over their fit, pres- sure and feel. Available in an assortment of shapes, sizes and firmness, they’re also an economic solution. And because they’re disposable, there’s no mainte- nance required: Users simply throw them away after use and pick a new pair the next day.
Roll-downs also present challenges. The first is their propensity to carry dirt and grime into the ear canal. Rolling down the material before insertion requires dexterity—and when a worker’s fingers are dirty, dusty, grimy or greasy, that soil transfers onto the foam and makes its way into the ear canal. An- other drawback is the potential for not placing them far enough into the ear. Finally, roll-downs generate daily waste. For companies with an eye toward con- servation, this waste—including the packaging as well as the ear plugs—may be a deterrent.
Reusables
Made of plastic, reusable ear plugs last between two and four weeks, allowing employers to not only reduce waste, but often save money, because workers use fewer pairs per week. They come in various shapes designed for smooth and easy insertion and a solid fit, eliminating the need to roll, wiggle or burrow them into the canal. Innovative designs allow body heat to help the earplug adapt to the shape of the ear; block hazardous noise while allowing voices through, and eliminate the common “plugged-up” feeling. Triple- and quadruple-flange styles help adjust size, shape and pressure inside the canal for a personalized fit. And because no roll-down is required, reusables offer a more hygienic solution than disposables.
Reusable ear plugs are ideal in places where work- ers can retain and store earplugs, as well as where noise is intermittent: corded styles allow for easy re- moval and replacement. Finally, they’re easily cleaned with soap and water; no chemicals required.
Reusable ear plugs may not work for individuals sensitive to plastic. Likewise, individuals who prefer the feel of foam may not achieve a familiar, comfort- able fit from plastic styles. Finally, re-useable ear plugs generally provide less attenuation than a properly- fitting foam ear plug.
Push-in foam
Push-in foam (PIF) ear plugs are a hybrid solu-
46 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2018
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