Hearing Protection


OH&S Announces 2016 NPOY Winners

Twenty-two companies, including four multiple winners, won in the magazine's eighth annual New Product of the Year contest. Winners will receive their trophies at the 2016 National Safety Congress & Expo in Anaheim.

Noise Safety Challenge Now Under Way

Hearing damage is pervasive, both from occupational exposures and from recreational exposures. According to NIOSH, U.S. business paid more than $1.5 million in penalties last year for not protecting workers from noise and an estimated $242 million is spent annually on workers' compensation for hearing loss disability.

Multiple Hazards Found at Missouri Auto Parts Manufacturing Facility

13 serious and one other-than-serious violation were found.

Because of the synergistic effect of many chemicals with noise, wearing a respirator and hearing protection together is an ideal defense against hearing loss whenever chemicals and noise are simultaneously present. (Honeywell Industrial Safety photo)

Can Industrial Chemical Exposure Cause Hearing Loss?

It is important to remember that any chemical that is ototoxic is also likely to be poisonous to the kidneys, because the inner ear and the kidneys arise from the same germ layer during embryonic development.

Top Posters Address Diacetyl Exposures, Noise Monitoring, Tobacco Workers' Illness

The displayed posters filled a large section of the expo floor in the Baltimore Convention Center. Many attendees walked up and down the rows seeking papers on topics of interest.

Research was completed at the new Dow Northeast Technology Center, shown here, using an in-house noise mapping tool to complete a baseline sound level assessment. (Dow Chemical photo)

Assessing High-Noise Areas

Industrial hygienists are challenged to protect employees from noise exposure in all types of work environments, including variable conditions. This project completed a baseline noise assessment at the Dow Northeast Technology Center’s mechanical areas.

Even with hearing conservation programs in place, there are still numerous recordable hearing loss events.

Is 85/3 In the Cards?

An overwhelming body of documented evidence suggests that the current PEL should be lowered to 85 dBA and the exchange rate be lowered to 3 dB.

The cost of hearing protection on any given day in 2016 is far less expensive than hearing aids later on, in both in dollars and sense.

Take the Pledge to Protect Your Hearing in 2016

Even as hearing protection has improved in basic terms, such as weight, comfort, fit, and protection, we are seeing the introduction of more and more features.



NIOSH Study Pinpoints Industries with Hearing Problems

NIOSH reports that hazardous noise affects approximately 22 million U.S. workers. This study is the first to report prevalence estimates for tinnitus by U.S. industry sector and occupation and provide these estimates side by side with prevalence estimates of hearing difficulty, according to the agency.

OSHA: Metal Plating Company Exposes Workers to Noise, Toxic Metal Hazards

OSHA has proposed $157K in fines for the Illinois company.

AIHA Supports Quiet Communities Act of 2015

The association has submitted a letter of support for legislation H.R. 3384.

Protect hearing every day with quality hearing protection, not just because OSHA requirements and other federal regulations demand it. (Radians photo)

Combat Workplace Noise Pollution to Help Prevent Hearing Loss

Yikes! Hearing loss is the third-leading major U.S. public health issue.

The OSHA Technical Manual states that when combinations of HPDs are used, the total noise reduction will be the greater of the two NRR plus 5 dB.

Hearing Protectors On the Job Site

Employers should not focus only on the NRR when selecting protectors.

NFPA 70E-2015 specifically defines ear canal inserts (ear plugs) as the required protection in all arc flash zones.

Arc Flash Hearing Protection

What requirements must a hearing protector meet for arc flash protection?

OSHA Slams El Paso Employer

The investigation was done as part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations. OSHA issued 36 safety citations after a previous inspection in December 2014.

Employees who wear radio ear muffs are more productive and motivated on the job. (Protective Industrial Products Inc. photo)

Guide to Selecting the Right Ear Muff

When combining hearing protection with safety glasses, face masks, etc., ensure performance is not adversely affected.

International Noise Awareness Day was started to encourage the public to take steps to reduce bothersome noise at work, at home, and at play.

20th International Noise Awareness Day Celebrated

The Center for Hearing and Communication began it in 1996 to call attention to the dangers of long-term exposure to noise.

Construction workers had the highest incidence of hearing loss during most time periods examined in the NIOSH study.

NIOSH 30-Year Study Finds 'Some Progress' in Hearing Loss Cases

The construction industry had the highest incidence rate during most of the time periods examined in the study.

One of the most important things for a successful program is to get employees to feel like they are being included in the decision process of developing the hearing protection program.

Addressing Noise in the Workplace

One of the most important things for a successful program is to get employees to feel like they are being included in the decision process of developing the program.

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