The Value of Ear Plug Fit Testing

3Nov2011

The Value of Ear Plug Fit Testing

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Although prevention has been the mantra in occupational Hearing Conservation programs over the years, the hoped-for results have not been realized. Despite years of regulation, hours of training, and billions of dispensed ear plugs, the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in the workplace continues to rise worldwide. In the European Union, NIHL is the most commonly reported occupational injury. Twenty percent of EU workers are exposed to hazardous noise half their working time, and 10% are exposed full time.*  In the United States, 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise on a daily basis, and 9 million suffer from NIHL, according to NIOSH.

 
Safety professionals around the world have a universal challenge in protecting the hearing of their noise-exposed employees: how much protection do their employees actually achieve with their ear plugs?
 
As rating methods are based upon idealized laboratory conditions, designed to test the capability of the hearing protector, published attenuation ratings have been criticized for being too generous in their estimation of noise reduction (attenuation). Studies indicate that while some workers in real-world worksites achieve the published attenuation on the package, many workers do not. This has led to a variety of inappropriate de-rating methods applied to hearing protection around the world, and has contributed to much confusion in knowing how to accurately estimate a hearing protector’s attenuation in real-world use.
 
Thus, determining if a worker has optimal real-world attenuation for their noise environment is critical to the success of an occupational hearing conservation program. 
 
In this blog series, we will look at new methods that are proven to improve worker use and acceptance of hearing protection in the workplace,
 
* EU OSHA “Prevention of risks from occupational noise in practice http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/6905812
 
Next: Ear Plug Fit Testing Technology
Blog Author:  Renee S. Bessette  
Blog Catagories:  Earplugs  Earplug Fit Testing  Ear Plug  

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