NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS (NIHL)BSUIR SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCEAPRIL 2015

BY ROMAN MATVEEV

N I H L

Introduction to NIHL

NIHL is

“a hearing impairment resulting from exposure to high levels of noise”,

and it is also commonly known

as industrial deafness.

Statistics

Intensity↔Pitch

INTENSITYIntensity = 20logreferenceparticular20dB=10*log102020dB=10*0dB40dB=100*20dB60dB=1000*40dB

85dB

Noise Level

94 dB Movie

99 dB Snowmobile

110 dB Video Arcade

115 dB Motorboat

120 dB Rock concert

127 dB Sporting events

154 dB Car stereo

167 dB Gunshot

180 dB Firecracker

Table 2

PITCH

The lowest limit of hearing range

The upper limit of hearing range

NIHL

Approximate Decibel Level

Examples

0 dB The quietest sound you can hear

30 dB Whisper, quiet library

60 dB Normal conversation, sewing machine, typewriter

90 dB Lawnmover, truck trafficMaximum daytime exposure: 8 hours

100 dB Chainsaw, drill, snowmobileMaximum daytime exposure: 2 hours

115 dB Sandblasting, loud rock concert, auto hornMaximum daytime exposure: 2 hours

140 dB Gun blast, jet engineNoise causes pain and injures to unprotected ears. Maximum allowed noise with hearing

protector

Table 1

How our hearing works

MicroFilm: How Our Hearing Works

Like blades of grass…

Means of Ear Protection

Earmuffs Earplugs

Conclusion:Conclusion: We should We should rememberremember

NIHL is entirely preventable but once acquired it is irreversible.

The haircells never grow back, they are unrecoverable.

That is why we should take care today.

Statistics of NHIL claims

1998-99 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002

Claims for NIHL 5755 5280 5185 4510Percentage of Total Disease

Claims

24 22 21 19

Percentage of Total Disease and

Injury Claims

3.8 3.5 3.5 3.2

Number of Claims for NIHL

*most recent data available (2006)

Claims in SA decreased from 370 in 1999 to 190 in 2002Although the number of NIHL claims has been reduced, it does not mean that noise induced deafness has been reduced

Statistics of NHIL claims NIHL Claims per Exposed Employees (2001/2)

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200

400

600

800

1000

1200

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The highest number of claims are made by: Labourers and related workers, 33% Tradespersons and related workers, 30% Intermediate production & transport workers (plant or machine operators or transport drivers).

Statistics of NHIL claims The average cost of workers compensation claims for NIHL in 2001/2 was calculated to be $6711.

Therefore, for Australia, the direct cost of NIHL claims for 2001/2 is calculated to be $6711 x 4510 claims i.e. just over $30 million.

This figure does not include Hearing Aid fittings

Prevention NIHL

Noise Control and Hearing Loss Prevention Program

Establishing a noise control policy and program

Actions to reduce noise exposure eg. Noise insulation, ear protection

Actions to monitor the health of employees eg, annual hearing screening programs

noise control policy and program will enable a systematicapproach to hearing conservation in a company eg purchasing policy on equipment noise levels, mandatory ear protection, training programs for employees