Hearing Protection


National Hearing Conference to 'Explore the World of Hearing Loss Prevention'

The National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) recently announced that its 35th annual conference will be held Feb. 25-27, 2010, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla. Titled "Explore the World of Hearing Loss Prevention," the conference will focus on various topics of local and international concern, including "whole life" hearing loss prevention; chemicals, ototoxicity, and otoprotection; and the impending change to the Noise Reduction Rating in the United States.

this is an example of a label that may be used to comply with the proposed EPA rule

Hearing on Labeling Rule Delayed to Oct. 7

Comment are now due by Nov. 4 on EPA's proposed rule, which would change the familiar NRR labels on hearing protection devices. The rule takes new technologies and Internet sales of HPDs into account.

a car repair shop was one of the places visited in HSEs hearing protection survey

Bad News for Workers in HSE Hearing Protection Field Study

The Health and Safety Laboratory study, posted today by the Health and Safety Executive, included outdoor and indoor workers, laboratory measurements of real-world attenuation, and some premises visited without warning.

Big EMS Gains Contributed by r2p Winners

This year's awards recognize research that made ambulances safer for EMS workers and passengers and also EMS protective clothing recommendations used in the 2008 edition of the NFPA 1999 standard.

Ireland's Safety Agency Focused on Farming, Entertainment

Five work-related deaths on farms this year -- half of all workplace fatalities in Ireland thus far in 2009 -- prompted a two-week inspection campaign that ended Monday. The Health and Safety Authority also issued a new guidance document warning performers about hearing loss.

Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltds Sharpsmart system

Hearing Assist, Health-Promoting Chair Among Design Finalists

Not among the 73 finalists was Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltd's Sharpsmart system, the entry shown here, which is designed to reduce the risk of sharps injuries and minimize impact on the environment.



Safety Marketing Group Presents Top Awards

SMG's Preferred Supplier of the Year, Jon Cal Murray Distributor of the Year, and Rich Harper Commitment to Excellence Supplier and Distributor Award winners were announced April 9 at the organization's annual conference in Tampa, Fla.

buildings in Red Square in Moscow

Russia's Appetite for PPE Increasing

Frost & Sullivan's Chemicals and Materials Research & Consulting practice predicts the country's demand for apparel, gloves, footwear, and head, vision, hearing, and respiratory protection will reach $1.7 billion in 2015.

a protective helmet/faceshield with hearing protection included

NIOSH Personal Protective Technology Program Offers Expansion Plan

Stakeholders are asked to comment by April 20 on the plan, which anticipates an expanded role five years out and beyond.

an active construction site

High Interest Expected for NIOSH-Funded Construction Safety Center

Letters of intent to create the center are due by March 16. NIOSH expects to make one award of up to $5 million per year for five years to support the center, with the intention of making it a national information resource for all construction stakeholders.

Brice de La Morandiere, nominated as Sperian CEO

Sperian Names New CEO

The board of directors agreed March 3 that Brice de La Morandiere will be CEO as of April 14. This action splits Sperian's board chairman and CEO duties and completes a succession plan for Henri-Dominique Petit, who now holds both titles. He will continue as chairman.

PPE: A Retrospective

Personal protective equipment is an acceptable and often required tool in many of today's workplaces, but this wasn't always so. The acceptance of PPE traveled down a long and perilous road that was paved with the toil and sacrifice of many workers.

Coping with the NRR Change

For years, we’ve known many workers in the “real world” do not achieve the same amount of attenuation from hearing protectors as indicated on the EPA required Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) label. Numerous studies show the NRR greatly overestimates the amount of attenuation that workers get in the field. This problem is so widely accepted that OSHA recommends de-rating the NRR by 50 percent. However, studies also show that a one-size-fits-all de-rating is also inaccurate when compared to individual measures of attenuation. EPA will soon make an announcement proposing a major change in the required labeling and method of testing of hearing protection devices (HPDs).

Ensuring Effective HCPs

It’s late in the afternoon on a Friday at International Meta-Multi-Mega Manufacturing Inc.’s corporate headquarters, and Bill, the manager of Safety, Health and Environmental Services, is on the hot seat regarding management’s latest concerns about compensation liability. The director of Finance, Samantha, is anxious to get some answers. The HR manager, Hector, nods in agreement.

logo of the Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™

NHCA, NIOSH Honor Hearing Conservation Leaders

The first Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards were presented during NHCA's 34th annual conference, which ended yesterday in Atlanta and won praise from NIOSH Acting Director Christine Branche.

ARO Meeting Shares Latest Findings on Antioxidants

How administering beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium before exposure to a loud sound may prevent hearing loss is explored in two studies being presented at the 2009 Midwinter Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology that starts today in Baltimore.

New Web Site Focuses on Changes to NRR System

The site offers news updates as changes are made, answers to frequently asked questions, articles, and an opportunity to pose questions to hearing conservation experts.

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