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Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology : NYC DOHMH

EODE

NOISE IN THE WORKPLACE

The dangers of noise in the workplace

Workplaces can be noisy.  Some workplaces have dangerous levels of noise.  About one in twelve workers exposed to high levels of noise in the workplace will develop hearing loss. Although hearing loss due to noise cannot be treated or cured, it can be prevented.

How is noise measured?
  • Sound is measured in two ways: loudness and frequency.  Frequency is also called pitch.  
  • Sound loudness is measured in Decibels (dBA).  When the decibels go up a little, the loudness goes up a lot.  A sound that is 90 decibels is twice as loud as a sound that is 80 decibels.
  • Sound frequency, or pitch, is measured in Hertz (Hz). Most of the sounds you hear are between 2 and 16,000 Hz.  Human speech is between 500 and 2000 Hz.
  • Sounds that are louder or have a higher pitch are more harmful to your hearing than quieter and lower pitched sounds.
How can noise affect my health?

Loud noise can cause hearing loss.  Hearing loss can make these every day activities difficult:

  • Talking on the phone
  • Watching television
  • Talking with friends and family
  • Talking with co-workers

Your risk for hearing loss from noise depends on the loudness of the noise and the length of time you are exposed to the noise.  Hearing loss from noise usually occurs slowly over time and without pain.  If you are exposed to loud noise, you may be at risk for:

  • Temporary hearing loss: After a few hours, or in some cases, a few days, your hearing may return to normal, or
  • Permanent hearing loss: If you are exposed to loud noise often, the temporary hearing loss can become permanent, or
  • Tinnitus:  After hearing a loud noise, you may experience ringing in the ears

Permanent hearing loss from noise cannot be cured, but hearing aids are helpful for some people.


Examples of common workplace noisesHow loud is too loud?
  • Exposure to noise above 85 dBA, over time, will eventually harm hearing.
  • The noise in your workplace may be too loud if:
  1. You need to shout to people only an arms-length away while working.
  2. You have ringing or buzzing in the ears after leaving work.
  3. Sounds are muffled after you leave work.
What are the early signs of hearing loss?
  • Difficulty understanding speech
    • You can hear all the words, but you cannot understand them.
    • You often have to ask others to repeat what they have said.
    • You feel like people are always mumbling when they are talking.
  • Ringing or buzzing in your ears.
  • Difficulty hearing on the telephone.
  • You need to turn the TV or radio volume up louder than other people in the room prefer.

By the time you realize that you have hearing loss, it may be too late.  See a doctor and ask for a hearing test if it is noisy where you work or you have any of the early warning signs listed above,

How Can I Protect Myself at Work?
  1. Stay away from noisy areas if possible.
  2. Know the warning signs of hearing loss.
  3. Use noise controls such as mufflers.
  4. Help maintain equipment to keep noise levels low.
  5. Get a hearing test.  Detect hearing loss early by getting annual hearing tests if you work in noisy areas.
  6. Wear hearing protection. You should wear hearing protection if:
  • You work in an area that is 85 dBA or higher, OR
  • You already have hearing loss and you work in a noisy area, OR
  • Your hearing has gotten worse between hearing tests and you work in a noisy area.
  1. Talk to your employer or call OSHA (1-800-321-OSHA) if you are concerned that noise levels are too high where you work.
What Your Employer Should Do:
  1. Test noise levels in areas where noise is typically above 85dBA whenever changes to production, process, or controls increase the noise level.
  2. Control noise levels above 85dBA using engineering controls such as:
  • Quieter equipment and tools.
  • Enclosures and barriers to isolate noisy operations away from workers.
  • Maintaining equipment.
  1. Provide baseline and annual hearing tests to all employees exposed to noise levels at 85dBA and higher.
  2. Provide training on noise, how to choose hearing protection, and how to wear it.
  3. Provide hearing protection to all employees exposed to 85dBA and higher.

Best Practices:  Maintain noise levels below 85dBA in work areas.


Ear PlugsTypes of Hearing Protection:
  • Earplugs are made of foam, rubber or plastic and are either one-size-fits-all or in sizes small, medium and large.  You can also get custom-molded earplugs. Earplugs can be more protective than ear muffs or canal caps.  Some earplugs are disposable and can be thrown out after one or several uses.  Others are reusable and should be washed in soap and water once a week.

    • Musician’s Ear plugs
      • Lowers sound levels at all frequencies with a special filter
      • Listener hears music at a reduced volume level without sacrificing quality
      • Not intended for protection from very high noise levels (> 105 dBA)
  • Ear MuffsEar muffs
    Ear muffs cover the whole ear and are more comfortable for some people.  They have replaceable pads.  Muffs don’t seal well for someone with heavy sideburns or with glasses or goggles.  There are muffs available with goggles attached.  If you wear glasses or have heavy sideburns wear earplugs.
  • Canal CapsCanal caps
    Canal caps are like earplugs, except they do not go into the ear canal, they only block it.  They are good for occasional use or for people who find earplugs uncomfortable.  They are not as protective as earplugs or muffs.

 

Can You Hear Anything with Earmuffs or Earplugs on?
Using earmuffs or plugs in noisy areas may actually make it easier to hear coworkers or machinery, by lowering loud background noise.


Where Can I Get More Information?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210
1-800-321-OSHA

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333
1-800-35-NIOSH

National Institutes on Deafness and other Communication Disorders
National Institutes of Health
31 Center Drive, MSC 2320
Bethesda, MD USA 20892-2320
1-301-496-7243

 
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