Hearing Conservation
Protect one of your most valuable senses with Hearing Conservation training. This course provides a detailed understanding of the ear’s anatomy, how sound works, and how it interprets sound. It also covers the effects of noise on hearing and emphasizes the importance of annual audiometric testing. Learn how to avoid occupational hearing loss by choosing and using the right hearing protection for your job, such as earmuffs and ear plugs.
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Learning Objectives
- Describe the properties of sound
- Identify the anatomy of the ear
- Describe how the ear interprets sound
- Differentiate between types of noise and understand their impact on hearing
- Describe hearing loss and how to prevent it
- List the requirements of a hearing conservation program
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of earmuffs versus ear plugs
- Identify noise hazards and select the appropriate hearing protection
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English, Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Tamil, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Czech |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | 29 CFR 1910.95: Occupational noise exposure |
Key Questions
Employees whose noise exposure meets or exceeds the action level are required to participate in hearing conservation training. This training should be repeated annually and updated whenever there are changes in work processes or hearing protection devices.
What is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95?OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 is a regulation set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that outlines the hearing conservation training and hearing protection requirements for workplaces exposed to noise. This standard mandates that employers implement a hearing conservation program when employees are exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average noise level of 85 dB or greater. The regulation includes provisions for regular audiometric testing, employee training on noise hazards and hearing protection, and measures to control noise exposure to prevent occupational hearing loss.
If you can't eliminate noise at the workplace, what's the best way to reduce the risk of hearing loss?First, try an engineering control, like putting the noisy object inside a sound-proof enclosure. Then, try work practice controls, like reducing the amount of time people spend near the noise. Finally, try PPE, like hearing protection. In some cases, you may use multiple controls at the same time.
What causes hearing loss?If the stereocilia are damaged, hearing loss will occur. Hearing loss can occur from several conditions or sources, including ear infections, aging, impact, childhood diseases, medications, or from repeated exposure to excessive noise.
What's the best way to reduce the risk of hearing loss?The best way to avoid hearing loss is to eliminate the hazard. An example of this is by eliminating the need to perform a noisy task, thereby eliminating the noise.
If you can't eliminate noise at the workplace, what's the best way to reduce the risk of hearing loss?First, try an engineering control, like putting the noisy object inside a sound-proof enclosure. Then, try work practice controls, like reducing the amount of time people spend near the noise. Finally, try personal protective equipment (PPE), like hearing protection. In some cases, you may use multiple controls at the same time.
What is the action level?Employers shall administer a hearing conservation program for employees in work environments where noise exposure equals or exceeds the action level. In the United States, an 8-hour TWA at or above 85 dB is called the “action level.”
What are earmuffs?Earmuffs are insulated cups that cover the entire ear. The cups are filled with a sound-reducing material to prevent sound waves from reaching the ear.
What are ear plugs?Ear plugs are made from foam or other soft materials and are designed to fit inside the ear canal. Ear plugs block sound waves from entering the inner ear.
Sample Video Transcript
The best way to avoid hearing loss is to eliminate the hazard. An example of this is by eliminating the need to perform a noisy task, thereby eliminating the noise. If a hazard can’t be eliminated, then an engineering solution should be attempted. For example, if noise levels in a particular area are excessive, an engineering solution could be to enclose the noisy machine within a sound barrier or replacing a noisy machine with a quieter one, thus reducing the level of noise down to acceptable levels. If there’s no way to engineer a solution, then administrative solutions can be implemented. An example of an administrative solution is to limit the amount of time workers can spend in a noisy area. Another way to minimize the effects of a hazard is to use personal protective equipment. An example of PPE is wearing hearing protection to work within a noisy area.
Additional Resources
- OSHA Safety & Health Training Topics – www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/
- OSHA QuickTakes: Noise & Hearing Conservation – www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/noise/
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – www.cdc.gov/niosh/
- NIOSH Workplace Safety & Health Topics- www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/
- National Hearing Conservation Association – www.hearingconservation.org/
Course Applies To
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