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Noise and Hearing Loss

Basically, noise is unwanted sound.

It is a pollutant and a hazard to human health and hearing. In fact, it has been

described as the most pervasive pollutant

in America.

Noise and Hearing Loss

•Noise in our environment affects physical health.

•Noise also has psychological and social implications and affects our well being and quality of life.

Noise and Hearing Loss

• Unfortunately, public awareness of the hazardous effects of noise is low - especially noise considered to be non-occupational.

• Fourth Wednesday in April has been declared International Noise Awareness Day (INAD).

Noise Levels

• Both the amount of noise and the length of time you are exposed to the noise determine its ability to damage your hearing.

• Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). • The higher the decibel level, the louder the noise. • Sounds louder than 80 decibels are considered

potentially hazardous. • Continued exposure to more than 85 decibels (dBA) of

noise may cause gradual but permanent damage to hearing. Hearing loss is accelerated by louder noises.

How noise damages hearing

• The amount of sound that is capable of producing subsequent hearing loss is related by so called damage risk criteria, which is based upon equal energy concept.

• Total Sound energy delivered to the cochlea, i.e. relevant in predicting injury and hearing loss

How much noise exposure is allowed

•90 db for 8 hours.•95 db for 4 hours.

•115 db for 15 minutes.

Noise induced hearing loss.

• The majority of noise induced hearing loss occurs due to occupational or industrial exposure.

• Maximum loss is typically occur after 10 to 15 years of continues exposure

The noise chart

Below gives an idea of average decibel levels for everyday sounds around you.

Painful:• 150 dB = rock music peak• 140 dB = firearms, air raid siren, jet engine• 130 dB = jackhammer• 120 dB = jet plane take-off, amplified rock

music at 4-6 ft., car stereo,• band practice

The noise chart

Extremely loud:• 110 dB = rock music, model airplane• 106 dB = timpani and bass drum rolls• 100 dB = snowmobile, chain saw,

pneumatic drill• 90 dB = lawnmower, shop tools, truck

traffic, subway

The noise chart

Very loud:• 80 dB = alarm clock, busy street• 70 dB = busy traffic, vacuum cleaner• 60 dB = conversation, dishwasher

The noise chart

Moderate:• 50 dB = moderate rainfall• 40 dB = quiet room

Faint:• 30 dB = whisper, quiet library

Warning Signs of Hazardous Noise

• You must raise your voice to be heard • You can't hear someone two feet

away from you • Speech around you sounds muffled or

dull after leaving a noise area • You have pain or ringing on your ears

(tinnitus) after exposure to noise.

Hazardous Noise

• Sounds louder than 80 decibels are considered potentially dangerous.

• Both the amount of noise and the length of time of exposure determine the amount of damage.

• Hair cells of the inner ear and the hearing nerve can be damaged by an intense brief impulse, like an explosion, or by continuous and/or repeated exposure to noise.

Examples of noise levels considered dangerous by experts

• a lawnmower, • a rock concert, • firearms, • firecrackers, • headset listening

systems,

• motorcycles, • tractors, • household

appliances (garbage disposals, blenders, food processors/choppers, etc.)

• and noisy toys.

All can deliver sound over 90 decibels and some up to 140 decibels.

Can't my ears "adjust" and "get used" to regular noise?

• If you think you have "gotten used to" the noise you are routinely exposed to, then most likely you have already suffered damage and have acquired a permanent hearing loss.

• Don't be fooled by thinking your ears are "tough" or that you have the ability to "tune it out"!

• Noise induced hearing loss is usually gradual and painless, but, unfortunately, permanent.

• Once destroyed, the hearing nerve and its sensory nerve cells do not regenerate!

Physical Changes

• The most notable physical effect of noise exposure is loss of hearing . Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) affects children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults.

• Because of noise in our society, hearing loss is appearing much earlier in life than would have been expected just 30 years ago.

Noise affects hearing & other parts of the body and body systems .

It is now known that noise:

• Disturbs digestion• Increases blood pressure • Increases breathing rate • Can cause an upset stomach or ulcer • Has negative cardiovascular effects such as changing the way

the heart beats • Can negatively impact a developing fetus, perhaps

contributing to premature birth • Makes it difficult to sleep, even after the noise stops • Intensifies the effects of factors like drugs, alcohol, aging and

carbon monoxide

Noise affects in other ways

• increase fatigue & cause irritability • effects of noise on behavior • makes speech communication harder

(More concentration and energy is needed not only to listen and hear over the noise but also to speak louder above the noise)

• voices can become strained and vocal cord abuses, such as laryngitis may develop.

Noise affects in other ways

The most important effect of noise

in the totality of the effects on the human,

is

“PRODUCTIVITY”

“5” phase hearing conservation program for industry:

1. Noise Monitoring 2. Audiometric (Hearing)

Testing 3. Employee Training 4. Hearing Protectors 5. Recordkeeping