Page 87 - OHS, June 2023

With this hearing loss, softft sounds may be hard to hear, and loud sounds may be unclear or mufflffled. ThThis type of hearing loss can occur when working in loud or extreme noise environments. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears or hearing different disruptive sounds such as hissing, buzzing, whistling or humming) can be a symptom of this type of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by illnesses, drugs that are toxic to hearing, genetic hearing loss, aging, a blow to the head, deformation in the inner ear, loud noises or explosions. 3. Mixed hearing loss. Mixed hearing loss happens when conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss occur at the same time. This means that there is damage in the outer or middle ear and in the inner ear. This happens when working in loud-noise environments. Together, conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss can make hearing worse than with only one problem. What are the Warning Signs that a Workplace May be Too Noisy? Some key indicators that the workplace is too noisy: ■ Having to shout to be heard in your work environment ■ A ringing or humming in your ears when you leave the noisy area ■ A temporary hearing loss that continues outside the noisy work area Methods to Avoid Occupational Hearing Loss NIHL is the only 100 percent preventable type of hearing loss. However, once the damage has occurred, it is irreversible. Understanding noise hazards and protecting your workers in a high-noise work environment can go a long way to avoiding incidences of NIHL. The following key methods will help avoid hearing loss: ■ Identify the workplace noises that cause damage to hearing at or above 85 dB(A). ■ Place a barrier between the noise source and the workers—or better yet, move the noisy equipment into a noise enclosure. ■ Maintain your machinery and equipment to avoid extra noise from malfunctions. ■ Move workers farther away from www.ohsonline.com noisy equipment—increased distance reduces exposure to hazardous noises. ■ Limit the amount of time a worker spends near noisy equipment. ■ Use proper fifitting personal hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs. Base your decision on work conditions and worker preference. Hearing protection that is not worn or removed often offers no hearing protection at all. ■ Ensure that the hearing protection being worn limits the sound output level, to ensure workers aren’t exposed to loud sounds coming into the headset via two- way radio or a music player. ■ Provide quiet areas where workers can get away from the hazardous noises to allow time for hearing to recover. ■ Provide regular hearing checks for those workers exposed to hazardous noises. High levels of occupational noise remain a problem in all regions of the world. It is important for businesses that utilize high-noise machinery and equipment to understand this problem and provide appropriate hearing protection for their workers. With improvements in technology such as smart communication headsets and earplugs, this is becoming a less daunting task. Nate Holmer is the Marketing Manager at Sensear, which develops and manufactures digital over-the-ear and in-the-ear headsets for use with two-way radio and Bluetooth® communication devices. Founded in 2006, through a partnership with the University of Western Australia and Curtin University driven by industry demand, Sensear’s patented SENS® Technology enhances speech, and suppresses background noise so that users can verbally communicate, protect their hearing, and still maintain 360° situational awareness of their surroundings in noisy environments such as Oil & Gas, Mining, Data Centers, Food Processing, Construction, Manufacturing, and other industrial workplaces. Sensear is based in Belmont, Australia, with offices in North America. REFERENCES 1. www.nidcd.nih.gov/news/multimedia/ medical-illustration-parts-ear 2. www.asha.org/public/hearing/types-of- hearing-loss/ JUNE 2023 | Occupational Health & Safety 85 Hard Hats Item#: 26128 Item#: 357081 Item#: 203689 Phone: 800.631.1246 Fax: 800.635.1591 Shop Online: northernsafety.com