(Graphic source:
Bacou-Dalloz)MASTERING MANAGEMENTReducing Workplace Hearing Loss SMITHFIELD, RI (July 20, 2006) - Brad Witt, the Audiology and Regulatory Affairs manager for the Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group, says that there are three ways to motivate workers to take proper defensive action by wearing their hearing protectors. "Unlike other occupational injuries, noise-induced hearing loss causes no pain or visible trauma," says Witt. "It is unnoticeable in its earliest stages, and generally takes years to diagnose. By showing these workers their susceptibility to noise damage, demonstrating the future risk, and removing the barriers to proper wearing of hearing protection, an employer invests in a workforce that takes responsibility for their own hearing protection, both on- and off-the-job." "First," he says, "is to dispel their illusion of invulnerability." When it comes to ignoring hazardous noise, it's not only the young who feel invulnerable. Even seasoned workers will claim that the loud noise does not bother them because they are accustomed to it, Witt explains.
But while the brain may grow accustomed to constant noise, "anatomically, the ears can never 'toughen up' against hazardous noise. Ears respond by losing hearing," says Witt. One of the most effective ways to illustrate this point is to provide workers with a copy of their annual audiometric tests with an explanation of the results. It is hard to argue with an objective test that historically shows the progression of hearing loss from year to year. Demonstrating "future risk" is a second method to bring home the need for hearing protection. "We live in a culture of the 'here and now,' " says Witt. "But noise-induced hearing loss displays no visible signs of injury and typically develops over years of exposure."
Additional
ResourcesProfessional
GroupsThe
following groups offer resources to professionals, including audiologists,
industrial hygienists, safety nurses, managers, students and other
individuals involved in implementing hearing conservation programs.American
Academy of Audiology (AAA)American
Speech Language Hearing Association (ASLA)Council
for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC)National
Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA)Research
& Outreach OrganizationsThe
following organizations may provide additional educational and outreach
assistance for a variety of hearing conservation and hearing loss
prevention programs.Hearing
Foundation of CanadaHouse
Ear Institute [HEI]In
addition, Bacouz-Dalloz's
Howard Leight and Bilsom divisions offer a number of resources,
including posters, flyers, brochures and PowerPoint presentations, for use
in hearing conservation and other noise-related educational programs.
Additional materials can be obtained through the company's Request
Information form. Many employers use audio demonstrations to simulate hearing loss, so that the worker has a clear understanding of the future risk and the need for adequate protection today. Another effective tool is to have employees talk to older workers who have suffered hearing loss and regret their disregard for hearing protection.
The third motivational tool Witt recommends is to remove the barriers to wearing hearing protection: "This can be as simple as ensuring an adequate supply of earplugs by installing dispensers, but oftentimes the barriers run deeper." Studies have shown that workers resist wearing hearing protection if the devices are not comfortable, or if they interfere with communication and job performance.
"It is hard to blame workers for being dissatisfied with their hearing protectors when the only choices offered are earplugs that overprotect and isolate the worker," says Witt. "Hearing protectors are now available that address workers' concerns of overprotection and communication interference. Earplugs offer different attenuation ratings for different noise levels; others are made of special high-tech material that conforms to the shape of the wearer's ear canal.
"Several earplugs and earmuffs have been designed to maximize communication through uniform attenuation, allowing wearers to hear important sounds more naturally while still protecting from harmful noise levels," continues Witt. "Electronic earmuffs can also enhance communication by amplifying ambient sounds, including speech and warning signals, to a safe level, while protecting against louder, more damaging noise."
(Source: Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety
Group)
Click here for a table of the
most common hearing conservation violations cited by OSHA.