my jop is loud,How loud is your job?

How loud is your job?

Noise exposures greater than 85 dB may cause hearing loss. General estimates of some work-related noises, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), are listed below. Where does your job fit in?

• • Rocket launch - 180 dB
• • 12-gauge shotgun - 165 dB
• • Jet engine at takeoff - 140 dB
• • Ambulance siren - 120 dB
• • Pneumatic percussion drill - 119 dB
• • Hammer drill - 114 dB
• • Chain saw - 110 dB
• • Continuous miner - 108 dB
• • Bulldozer; spray painter - 105 dB
• • Impact wrench - 103 dB
• • Hand drill - 98 dB
• • Tractor - 96 dB
• • Belt sander - 93 dB
• • Hair dryer; power lawnmower - 90 dB
• • Ringing telephone - 80 dB
• • Normal conversation - 60 dB

Hearing loss,more informations & General facts

General Facts About Hearing Loss

What is a Temporary Hearing Loss (Temporary Threshold Shift)?

With a temporary hearing loss, normal hearing will usually return after a rest period away from all sources of intense or loud noise. The recovery period may be minutes, hours, a day or perhaps even longer. It is believed that a temporary hearing loss occurs when hair cells in the inner ear have been bent by vibrations and need time to bounce back, or when the fluid in the inner ear has changed chemically because of over-stimulations, and needs time to revert to its original composition.

What is a Permanent Hearing Loss (Permanent Threshold Shift)?

A permanent hearing loss is the result of hair cells or nerve destruction within the cochlea. Once these important parts of the hearing process are destroyed, they can never be restored or regenerated. The resulting permanent hearing loss, also referred to as permanent threshold shift (PTS), can range from slight to total hearing loss.

The following factors determine the degree and extent of hearing loss:

• Type of Noise – continuous, intermittent, impact, high or low frequency
• Intensity of Noise – level of loudness
• Duration of Exposure – length of time subjected to noise, and over time how often subjected to noise
• Type of Noise Environment – enclosed, open, reflective surfaces
• Distance from Ears to the Source of Noise – earphones in the ear, centimeters from the ear, meters, etc.
• Physical position/posture relative to the noise source
• Age of listener
• Individual Susceptibility
• General Health of listener
• Number of other Exposures to Noise – at home, in the workplace, during recreational/leisure activities, etc.

strain to hear ??!!

Imagine, for a moment, that you must strain to hear ...

the sounds of your favorite TV program or CD, or play them so loudly they drive everyone else from the room. Imagine that you have trouble hearing your family members from across the room or co-workers from 20 feet away. Imagine that you must also wear a hearing aid to hear your grand kids’ laughter.

Unfortunately, for many workers in construction, manufacturing and other industrial settings these situations are all too real. They suffer significant hearing loss after 15 to 20 years of being subjected continually to noise from machinery, day-to-day activities, tools and traffic. Hearing loss has a dramatic impact on quality of life and also can pose safety problems on the job and off.

Fortunately, hearing loss in industrial settings and construction also is completely preventable through a combination of quieter equipment, hearing conservation programs, and use of proper hearing protection.

Hearing protection products from ISEA members meet the EPA Noise Control Act of 1972 (40 CFR 211) and set the world standard for reducing harmful noises while allowing workers to stay in touch with their surroundings and communicate effectively with co-workers. Click on the links below to find manufacturers of these types of hearing protectors:

Active Noise Canceling Headsets use an electronic system to cancel unwanted background noise while at the same time enhancing the quality of audio delivered through the headset. They are used primarily for in-flight noise reduction.

Band Type Hearing Protectors come on a flexible plastic band that is worn under the chin while the protectors are in the ears. The band can be left resting around the neck while the protectors are not in use. They are designed for convenience in work areas with varying noise levels.

Communication Headsets block unwanted noise while at the same time allowing the wearer to communicate clearly with co-workers. Special microphones suppress environmental noise to aid in two-way communications.

Ear Caps seal the opening to the ear without entering the ear canal. Similar to band-type hearing protectors, they usually come on a band that can be placed around the neck when the caps are not in use for convenience in work areas with varying noise levels.

Ear Muffs suppress unwanted noise by completely covering the outer ear.

Disposable Ear Plugs are made of formable material and are designed to be inserted into a person’s ear canal, where they expand and conform to the shape of each individual’s ear canal.

Reusable Ear Plugs usually are premolded and made from silicone, plastic or rubber and are available in several different sizes. Workers sometimes refer to them as "Christmas tree plugs" because of their appearance. They often come in a carrying case to keep them clean when not in use.

Noise, what is it?! Or: what a concert has in common with a pneumatic hammer .

Especially dangerous is the so called “leisure noise”. In this case we perceive the sound level mostly as comfortable although it reaches incredible dimensions.

Hearing damages caused by noise are vicious. Because hearing loss caused by noise influence is only rarely perceived indirectly. Noise damages the hearing slowly and unrecognized but steady and most of all lasting and irrevocable. The sensitive hair sense cells in the human’s inner ear are pulled out due to constant noise influence.

A good example for when it is too loud for the human hearing is the working world – independent from subjective perception. From a middle constant level of 90 dB (e.g. a milling machine) wearing a hearing protection is regulation.

Just compare: Average values of 90-105 dB are reached on a dance floor in discotheques, 80-100 dB during an opera performance in the orchestra ditch and 100-115 dB during rock concerts. In techno discos even the pain threshold - which is around 120 dB – is crossed!

With a sound level meter you can check how high the level is around you in different situations.

 where we compared different volume levels.

If the noise you are facing is not explicitly higher than the pain threshold, nobody can say for sure when a hearing damage will develop (ear noises like whistling, rustling and so on point to a secure damage). Depending on the noise’s duration and frequency the hearing can cope with the above mentioned noise level once in a while. On the other hand it can already be damaged with lower values. But it is a fact that it is just too much for your hearing if you are constantly exposed to noisy, continuous or simply disturbing sound. And if the right combination of sound level (dB), frequency (Hertz) and time of influence adds to this then your hearing and your health can even be ruined.

Noise has lots of negative results on your hearing:

High risk to suffer from Tinnitus (hearing sound)

Increased blood pressure

Increased energy consumption

Decrease of electric skin resistance

Decrease of peristaltic

Decrease of blood circulation

Decrease of working efficiency (mistakes, accidents and sickness)

Poor recovery in phases of relaxation

Influenced deep sleep phase

M1 (6-Point Muffs) best ear muffs with a good reputation

Ear protection is often not worn in places such as the work place because ear muffs fit badly or are too tight. The M1 will put a stop to such practices.

Ear muffs must meet three essential requirements:

• They must be fully adjustable
• They must be robust
• They must provide excellent noise reduction
  
  Intelligent noise reduction optimised for speech 
  A high level of noise reduction is only practical if speech can still get through. You will want to understand what is being said to you. The M1 has an extremely high level of noise reduction at 40 decibels between 500 and 8000 Hertz. However, the characteristic line of noise reduction is very straight. The result - the user can understand speech when wearing the M1. What’s more, speech doesn’t sound as muffled as it does with other ear muffs.
  Exceptionally robust 
  Solid design, well-conceived articulations and an adjustable metal band to fit over the head ensure you are fully satisfied with your purchase.
  Perfect fit 
  M1 ear muffs can be adjusted at six different points as required. Besides the two length adjustments on the band, there are 2 settings on either side which optimise the fit over the ears. The cups can even be placed in a slanting position if required. The M1’s large cups allow plenty of space for your ears.
  
  
  
  Compact storage 
  The M1 folds compactly together and is quickly tucked away. It is thus ideal for use when making visits to different sites.
  Long-lasting 
  All soft padding is made of washable synthetic material and can be replaced. The articulations have a solid design and the headband is made of metal. This ensures the ear muffs will last a long time.
  A sleek look 
  Ear muffs can also look really good. The M1 wins over with its sleek, dark colours which shimmer in the light with an appealing metallic pearl effect. Too cool for words.

what did you say? Noise, Ears and Hearing Protection

What did you say? is a famous question nowadays !!

There is many reasons make us ask this question ,DO you know why?

Fact: One in 10 Americans has a hearing loss that affects his ability to understand normal speech. Excessive noise exposure is the most common cause of hearing loss.The two most common types of hearing loss that occur in adults are SENSORINEURAL and CONDUCTIVE.Sensorineural hearing loss is the result of damage to the inner ear and accounts for over 90% of hearing loss in adults. This type of hearing loss is generally permanent.

Causes of Sensorineural hearing loss include:

• Deterioration of hair cells due to exposure to loud sounds or aging
• Deterioration of nerves pathways that transmit signals to the brain, most commonly caused by a tumor pinching the nerves
• Trauma to the head
• iInfection that reaches the inner ear
• Heredity

Sensorineural hearing loss that is irreversible– and unnecessary is caused by loud, sudden noises and are more damaging to hearing than regular and extended exposure to loud sounds over a period of time

It is generally thought that loud noises in excess of 90 decibels are harmful to hearing over prolonged exposure. Using the correct ear protection can prevent needless and permanent damage to hearing.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is damage or blockage in the outer or middle ear, preventing sound from traveling normally through the ear canal to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss can often be corrected.

Causes of Conductive hearing loss include:

• Fluid build up, often due to ear infection
• Ear wax
• Perforated ear drum