Howard Leight 1035127-VS, 1035112-VS, 1035106-VS, 1035121-VS, 1035116-VS User Manual

VeriShield™ 100 series

Solutions they will want to wear

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss –
Prevention and Protection

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has long been a serious

risk for workers and a major challenge for safety professionals. To improve

safety metrics, understanding the importance of NIHL is greater than ever,

as is the awareness for protection to be personalized if it is to be truly effective.

Unlike most other occupational health and safety injuries, NIHL is pain-free,

invisible, usually gradual, and therefore often goes unnoticed until the damage

is done. However, many public institutions recognize it as the most prevalent

occupational disease in the world.

The good news is, NIHL is also easily preventable.

Even so, prevention demands a clear understanding of the challenges before

you can design a hearing conservation program and issue hearing protection.

Prevention Problems

Working conditions can be dynamic and unpredictable. So noise risks can arise suddenly

and in unforeseen ways.

In addition, every worker is unique, with different susceptibilities to NIHL. In the past it has been

considered acceptable to make general assessments of groups of workers carrying out similar tasks

in certain environments. However, there is a growing understanding that this approach ignores

individuals’ job risk profiles, personal susceptibilit y to hearing loss, and changes to the noise

environment which were not assessed during any initial noise-mapping activity.

It is increasingly clear that one type of hearing conser vation does not fit everyone in every scenario.

Therefore, the best way to protect individuals exposed to the risk of NIHL is a personalized solution.

Protection Problems

The simplest solution may seem to be protective equipment that blocks all noise –

but this brings its own risks:

• The wearer feels isolated

• The wearer is less aware of their surroundings and situation

• These risks may lead them to remove the protection to avoid short-term dangers -
risking long-term permanent hearing loss

Even when hearing protection devices are provided and worn, the actual protection achieved for each

individual may not be the same as the level stated by the manufacturer. Proper fit and protection can

be compromised by a number of factors including:

• Eyewear – if it has thick temples, eyewear can break the seal of the ear cushion

• Hats – if worn under an earmuff will affect the seal around the ear

• Hairstyles – long hair or facial hair will interfere with an earmuff’s fit

• User Error – an improper seal after putting on a hearing protection device

Whatever the issue that results in a failure of prevention or protection, the ultimate difficulty

is that the resulting hearing loss will not be detected until af ter it’s happened.

And then it’s too late.

Prevention and Protection Solutions

One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of NIHL is to change worker behavior.

This can mean:

• Identifying individuals most likely at risk of NIHL

• Sharing insight with them about their behavior

• Designing personalized hearing conservation programs to meet their needs