Noise Exposure - Hearing Loss

Introduction

When hearing is lost because of noise exposure, it cannot be restored. By law, companies whose workers are exposed to high noise levels must have an active program for protecting their employees' hearing. This program should contain provisions for identifying and evaluating high noise exposures, controlling and reducing noises in the workplace and, when necessary, protecting workers to prevent hearing loss and monitor their hearing.

Noise induced hearing loss is a preventable condition when proper controls and protection are used. Towards that end the resources here are designed to provide guidance to workers and employers with occupational noise concerns.

Regulatory Information

In Washington State general industry hearing conservation is covered under Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-817 "Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise)" .

Engineering Noise Controls

For preservation of hearing, the primary tool is elimination of noise from the workplace through engineering controls. The primary strategies for controlling noise are elimination at the source, absorption or blocking along the noise path or isolation of the worker.

Noise Reduction Ideas Bank - A database of engineering controls and methods that can be used to reduce noise levels in the workplace.

Hearing Loss Prevention Programs

While noise control systems are being evaluated and installed or where it is not feasible to bring employee noise exposures down to acceptable levels it is required to establish a hearing conservation program. The required elements of the program are:

Monitoring--Noise exposure levels must be measured wherever they may reasonably be expected to be above an eight hour time weighted average of 85 dBA.
Noise Controls--must be evaluated and implemented wherever employee exposures are at or above an eight hour time weighted average of 90 dBA.
Audiometric Testing Program--all employees with an eight hour time weighted exposure of 85 dBA or above must be included in an audiometric testing program. A baseline audiogram must be established within the first six months of exposure and annual testing and evaluation must be done.
Hearing Protection--The employer must provide hearing protection for all employees that have an eight hour time weighted exposure of 85 dBA or above, who have any continuous exposure at or above 115 dBA, or who have an exposure to any impulse noise levels above 140 dB.
Training--Employers must provide training to all employees exposed to noise at or above an eight hour time weighted average of 85 dBA. Training must include the following items: the effects of noise on hearing, information on hearing protectors and their use, information on audiometric testing and its purpose, and and the employees right to access to records. The employer must maintain a written description of the training program.

Resources

Noise Exposure Online Training Modules self-paced, for employers and workers
Noise Exposure Training Kit for employers to use to train workers
Video tapes on hearing conservation can be borrowed from the L&I Safety & Health Video Library
OSHA hearing conservation technical and regulatory information can be found at their Noise and Hearing Conservation site.

Additional Links

Additional information on hearing conservation issues can be found at the following sites.

Labor & Industries (L&I), Washington State

Topic Center