Hearing Protection at Work: Essential Guidelines for Employees

In the workplace, protecting your hearing is essential for staying safe and healthy on the job. Whether you’re working in a noisy industrial environment or a construction site, exposure to loud noises can pose serious risks to your hearing health. Let’s look into some essential guidelines to maintain auditory assets.

Understanding Noise Levels

Noise levels at work are usually measured in decibels (dBs), which measures sound intensity. Just as a whisper in a library creates a different atmosphere from jet engine roar, so can decibel levels vary in the workplace. Sounds below 70dBs are generally safe. Extended exposure to noise above 85dBs could put your hearing health at risk permanently. Loudness of the noise and the duration of the noise can affect your hearing health.

Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs)

Hearing protection devices are essential tools in combating workplace noise pollution, providing vital protection. Selecting an HPD must fit to your needs while ensuring it will provide the right protection. Earmuffs, earplugs and semi-insert earplugs each provide different levels of protection and benefits:

• Earmuffs offer comfortable protection that’s easily adjustable – great for intermittent noise exposure!
• Earplugs offer maximum ear protection. Earplugs are designed for environments with continuous noise due to their snug in-ear fit, offering greater noise reduction.
• If you’re seeking a compromise solution, semi-insert earplugs connected by lightweight bands may provide additional noise protection.

In order to make an informed decision and protect your ears from workplace decibels, consider the noise frequency, duration and personal comfort of the workplace.

Proper Use of Hearing Protection Devices

An effective seal between the protective device and skin ensures optimal sound attenuation and prevents damaging noise levels from entering the ear canal. With regards to earmuffs, this means adjusting the headband accordingly for maximum snugness without discomfort. Earplug usage usually requires rolling and molding them to fit perfectly within one’s ear canals before inserting the plugs to ensure an airtight seal is achieved.

An audiologist can show how to properly use these devices; and show how thein usage could significantly lessen its noise reduction capabilities. Each wearer should be individually fitted and regularly checked for correct wear to maintain the highest level of hearing protection in noisy work environments.

Scheduling Regular Audiologist Visits

Regular visits with an audiologist are vital for protecting one’s hearing health. Experts in ear anatomy and auditory function can conduct comprehensive hearing assessments, offer advice for choosing and fitting hearing protection, detect early signs of hearing loss and provide regular visits so any changes in hearing ability are identified quickly so timely interventions can take place.

Individuals exposed to hazardous noise levels regularly require customized advice in terms of work environments, types of noise exposure experienced and condition of the ears. An audiologist will have tailored advice specifically for individuals who work in a noisy environment.

With proper protection, knowledge and habits in place, you can protect your hearing from loud noises. If you have any questions about the types of protection available contact an audiologist. They will help you find the right protection for you.