Wellness Management: Healthy Habits: Avoiding Hearing Loss At Work

What you need to know about your ears and your work environment:

MANAGE YOUR EARS = MANAGE THE NOISE

NO EXCUSES! WEAR YOUR HEARING PROTECTORS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR HEARING  

Personal Protective Equipment – 3 Types of Hearing Protectors  

1. Earplugs ‐ are inexpensive – Plugs must be inserted properly
2. Earmuffs – form air‐tight seal over the ear – less effective when using eyewear
3. Canal Caps – use pressure from a headband to hold the earplugs in place

Hint: 

• If glasses are worn, ensure the earmuffs have an effective seal
• Plugs should be kept reasonably clean or disposable sets with every use

FACT:

• Skin irritations, injured eardrums, or other harmful reactions are exceedingly rare
• Ear protectors include ear plugs or ear muffs. NO COTTON BALLS!
• Keep out of areas des­ignated as hazardous noise areas
• Confirm loca­tions and duties with potentially hazardous noise exposure AND WEAR DESIGNATED EAR PROTECTION!
• The use of ear protection will not make it more difficult to understand speech or to hear warning signals when worn in a noisy environment

HINTS FOR GOOD PROTECTION

1. Make sure you’re getting the full protection from your ear plugs by rolling the plug up between your fingers, pulling back your ear and inserting them completely in the ear canal as intended.
2. Good protection depends on a good seal between the surface of the skin and the surface of the ear protector. A very small leak can destroy the effectiveness of the protection.
3. ASK if you’re not sure if your PPE is fitted properly
4. Protectors have a tendency to loosen as a result of talking, chewing, etc., and they must be reset from time to time during the workday.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY ABL EMPLOYMENT IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE HEALTHY HABITS. IT IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL AND/OR LEGAL ADVICE OR PROFESSIONAL CARE. BEFORE MAKING SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO DIET OR EXERCISE, CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.