Whats All the Noise

1
Whats All the Noise?

• Protect Yourself from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Operation Outreach from the American Industrial
Hygiene Association Noise Committee
2
Sound The Basics

• Decibel (dB) range from 0 to about 190
  (Logarithmic)
• Loudness doubles with every 10 dB increase
• Long-term exposure to 85 dB or more can cause
  permanent damage
• Single exposure to 140 dB or more can cause
  instant damage
• Raise Your Voice test

Graphic from James, Anderson Associates, Inc.
3
This is your ear
Noise damage occurs HERE
Graphic from Howard Leight Industries
4
How does Noise hurt?

• Single event
• Explosion
• Gun blast
• Long-term exposure to sounds of about 85 dB or
  higher
• Like walking on the grass
• Very gradual
• No clear warning signs

Acoustic Trauma
Noise-induced Hearing Loss
5
What about Hearing Loss?

• Do you have trouble
• Hearing on the phone?
• Following the conversation when two or more
  people are talking?
• With others saying the TV or radio is too loud?
• Straining to hear conversation?
• Hearing in a noisy background?
• Asking people to repeat themselves?
• Thinking others mumble or speak unclearly?
• Misunderstanding what others say, and responding
  inappropriately?
• Understanding women or children?

• Of the 28 million with hearing loss in the US,
  about 1/3 due in part to noise
• Social implications
• Tinnitus
• Self test
• If you say yes to three or more, see a
  professional about your hearing.

6
Dont Hearing Aids fix it?

• In a word NO!
• Noise destroys
• Hearing aids amplify, but...
• Cant correct for the internal damage done by
  noise

Graphic from NIOSH
7
Noise and Hearing in the Workplace

• Noise is everywhere
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Transportation
• Why does hearing matter on the job?
• Safety
• Performance
• Communication

Graphic from UAW
8
Hearing Conservation Programs OSHAs Defense

• Required when workplace noise exceeds 85 dBA
• Noise measurement
• Noise control
• Hearing tests
• Hearing protection
• Training
• Recordkeeping

9
How about at home?

• Firearms
• 140-165 dB
• Headsets
• Up to 110 dB
• Woodworking
• Saws 110 dB
• Lawn Mowers
• Up to 95 dB

• Hair Dryer
• Up to 90 dB
• Garbage Disposal and Vacuum Cleaner
• 70 to 80 dB
• Boom Car
• You dont want to know
• Up to 145 dB

10
How about in the Neighborhood?

• Complaints increasing
• Leaf blowers
• Motorcycles
• Boom Cars
• Communities regulate noise locally
• Varying standards
• Difficult enforcement

• What can you do?
• Talk to the noisemaker
• Become familiar with local regulations
• Use mediator
• Organize
• Noise Pollution Clearinghouse

11
What can YOU do?

• To save your ears
• Understand the risk
• Turn it down
• Walk away
• Use protection

• The danger is
• Too LOUD
• Too LONG
• Too CLOSE

Graphics from AEARO Corp.
12
Resources

• Noise Pollution Clearinghouse
• www.nonoise.org
• 888-200-8222
• League for the Hard of Hearing
• www.lhh.org/noise
• 888-NOISE88
• National Hearing Conservation Association
• www.hearingconservation.org
• 303.224.9022

13
No Noise is Good Noise!