Noise protection is used not just to prevent hearing loss in the construction industry but also for communication, accident reduction, and work quality. Research shows that 51% of construction workers are exposed to hazardous noise at work and 52% of those exposed don’t wear ear protection; 25% of the noise-exposed workers have a severe degree of hearing impairment, which hinders their daily routines 16% have equal loss in both ears, 14% of the construction workers struggle with hearing disorders, and 7% have tinnitus, and exposure to harmful chemicals on-site even at lower noise levels causes hearing loss. Now that it is understood that there are harmful sounds that could potentially hurt our ears in the workplace, it is vital that we adhere to the hearing protection provided in the workplace. To understand better what these are, we will discuss in this section the different kinds of hearing protection methods in the workplace and get to know their purpose.

Noise Assessment

To have a better perspective on which areas in your workplace emit sounds beyond 85 decibels, a noise assessment must be conducted. The best equipment to check noise levels are sound level meters. It is a tool with a built-in microphone that captures sound in a given area and displays the amount of decibels produced by the noise. This provides organisations with the knowledge on where to equip their employees with the proper hearing protection to shield them from these unhealthy levels of noise. This will also help organisations create better procedures when conducting activities in these high-level noise areas. They can provide controls on the time limit on an individual’s exposure to the noise.

Engineering and Administrative Controls

Engineering controls are safety measures in which you create a tool or equipment to either totally or minimally expose dangers. As we discuss noise dangers in this post, a noise dampener is the finest example I could provide on an engineering control that reduces the noise hazards. Installable or incorporated into high noise level machinery, these noise dampeners help to absorb vibrations and reduce the output of noise. Still, do not let your creativity be limited. This is merely one technical measure meant to reduce the sound vibrations. With enough investigation, maybe you might create a new technical control that efficiently reduces noise on certain machines via fabrication and design.

Administrative controls are strategies and guidelines used to regulate the methods of operation. This is a calculated way to change practices to minimise the impact of the threats. Controlling the period of exposure of every person engaged in an activity within an area where heavy-level noise is generated is a very excellent way to reduce the impacts of hazardous noise in the workplace. By use of a work rotation system, companies may ensure that staff members are not too exposed to the noise risks. Organisations should plan their every action when their employees come across dangers and develop strategies to reduce the exposure of their staff members.

Hearing Protection Devices (HPD)

One of the best ways to protect employees from the harm of the hazards is to gear them up with the proper personal protective equipment. In the case of noise hazards, hearing protection devices must be worn when exposed to high-level noises. These are specialised gear that are fabricated to lessen noise levels produced in the workplace before they get to the eardrums of the individuals exposed to it. One widely used example of these HPDs is earmuffs. Earmuffs are designed to cover an individual's ear tightly to reduce the level of noise. This works in the way that foam imbedded inside the earmuffs naturally dissipates sound waves, therefore reducing the amount of decibels before going through your eardrums. Choosing the best hearing protection device must be based on the results of the noise assessment. This is to make sure that the HPD will suffice to the level of noise an area is producing.

Audiometric Tests

It is a company or organisation’s responsibility to have their employees go through medical examinations when employees are exposed to dangerous levels of noise. In fact, it is required by OSHA that employees who are exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels over an 8-hour time-weighted average undergo audiometric testing. An audiometric test is a hearing test that evaluates how well a person can still hear. These tests can identify if an individual has already damaged their hearing and is starting to develop hearing loss.

Four tests measure this, including the hearing threshold test, which determines how loud a sound must be for an individual to hear it. Air conduction evaluates how well sound travels from the outer ear to the inner ear. Bone conduction checks how effectively sound travels from the inner ear to the central nervous system. And lastly, speech discrimination checks how well a person can understand speech. Having these helps companies and organisations check if they need to improve on their safety controls and establish better measures.