An estimated 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels each year. When you spend too much time around unsafe noise, the tiny hair cells in your ear responsible for sending sound information to the brain can begin to die. If enough of these hair cells die, permanent hearing loss will arise.
If you’re among the many valued workers in Katy’s manufacturing industry, it’s crucial to practice effective hearing protection. Let’s look at five critical hearing protection measures you and your fellow workers must take.
1. Wear Earmuffs and Earplugs
Workplaces are OSHA-mandated to provide hearing protection for any worker exposed to noise at or above 85 decibels (dB) averaged over eight work hours, also called the eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Make sure you and your team are wearing earplugs or earmuffs at all times when operating heavy machinery.
2. Pay Attention to Noise Levels
Having earmuffs and earplugs only helps if you know when and how to use them. Download a decibel meter app to measure the noise in your workplace. Wear your hearing protection if it exceeds 85 dB or dBA (A-weighted decibels) and remind others to do the same.
Earmuffs fit snugly over your ears. To insert foam earplugs, simply roll them between your fingers, pop them in your ear canal and wait for them to expand. You don’t need to roll custom-made or silicone earplugs before inserting them.
3. Use Hand Signals or Written Communication
You might feel tempted to remove your hearing protection when you struggle to understand what a coworker says. Instead of risking your ears, use previously-agreed-upon hand signals or written communication to relay a message.
4. Take Breaks
Don’t wait until your lunch hour to step away from noisy environments. Take a five-minute break every hour or two to rest your ears.
5. Schedule a Hearing Test
Although hearing testing isn’t something you do at work, it’s a crucial part of hearing health care. Schedule regular hearing tests with Today’s Hearing to identify early signs of hearing loss and get the necessary treatment.