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Results for “Ear Protective Devices”

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PubMed1990

The attenuations of some hearing protectors as used in the workplace.

A sound field which conforms to the requirements of ISO 4869 (1981) has been created in an audiometric booth which has been installed in a mobile trailer. This trailer has visited industrial sites where protectors, which were being used in the workplace, were tested. Work people, selected at random, were tested in a procedure similar to that specified in ISO 4869. The occluded and unoccluded thresholds of hearing were measured and then used to estimate the protector attenuation. Results from a number of muffs, plugs and helmet-mounted muffs, tested in the workplace, show that, in most cases, the attenuations were less and the standard deviations were greater than those quoted by manufacturers from laboratory ISO 4869 tests. The implications of these results for the selection of hearing protectors are discussed.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1991

Attenuation of low-frequency noise by hearing protectors.

The ability of earmuffs and helmets to reduce low-frequency (4-250 Hz) noise was tested in an anechoic chamber, in a paint factory, outside and in a low-frequency noise chamber. Prototypes of a new noise helmet were also tested. Steady noise and low-frequency noise impulses were used as the sound sources. The testing was sometimes difficult because physiological noise raised the sound level inside the hearing protector at some frequencies after the protector was put on. Therefore the low-frequency sound level had to be over 100 dB at frequencies of 2-250 Hz during the tests. The earmuffs attenuated noise levels of 1-20 dB in the 4-250 Hz frequency range. Commercial noise helmets tested were not as good as earmuffs in attenuating low-frequency noise. New noise helmet prototypes attenuated low-frequency noise better than did earmuffs or commercial helmets (attenuation 5-39 dB).

Ear Protective Devices↗
PubMed1994

Management and motivational factors in the control of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).

This paper describes a study investigating attitudes to noise as an occupational hazard. The objectives of the study were to understand the individual and organizational factors which affect attitudes towards noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and to relate these to the standards of hearing conservation achieved in industry as demonstrated by compliance with the Noise at Work Regulations. The study comprised a survey of 48 organizations across Britain, and a more detailed examination of 10 of these as case studies. Methods used included desk research, audits of hearing conservation programmes, questionnaires and interviews. Whilst there is widespread acceptance that industrial noise is a hazard, it is one that is frequently taken for granted, and measures to deal with it are often inadequate. Most organizations place the onus on the workforce to protect their own hearing through the use of personal hearing protectors. Workers reactions to noise tended however to be passive and much of the time neither managers nor the workforce are concious of the noise hazard. This is the case even where some managers are committed to good industrial housekeeping and accident prevention. As effective hearing conservation programme requires three management attributes: leadership from senior management, the ability of middle management (particularly in production and engineering) to put hearing conservation measures into practice, and specialist technical knowledge of noise and of the legislation. The study points to the need for more education and motivation of senior managers as the priority in improving standards of hearing conservation and noise control.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2002

Noise attenuation and proper insertion of earplugs into ear canals.

OBJECTIVES: The study was done to determine whether the noise attenuation attained with the use of earplugs can be improved by teaching the proper insertion of earplugs to users. METHODS: Fifty-four randomly selected male subjects were divided into an untrained group (25 persons) and a trained group (29 persons). The trained group was given a lecture on earplug insertion and allowed to practise the insertion procedure, whereas the untrained group acted as controls. The untrained group received this training afterwards. The success of the training was measured by the MIRE (microphone in real ear) and REAT (real ear at threshold) methods, visual evaluation and an analysis of the properties of the subjects' ear canals. RESULTS: According to the MIRE method, the averaged A-weighted noise attenuation was 21 dB for the untrained group and 31 dB for the trained group. With the REAT method the attenuation at 1000 Hz was 24 dB for the untrained group and 30 dB for the trained group. The visual evaluation of the earplug fit was 1.9 for the untrained group and 2.6 for the trained group (scales 0-3). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that training in earplug insertion is important for good attenuation and for diminishing poor attenuation to a minimum.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Two solutions to the problem of noise exposure for motorcyclists.

Two solutions to the problem of excessive noise exposure and consequent hearing loss in motorcyclists were investigated and are described. One was an antecedent behaviour-modifying 'prompting' strategy, where a set of earplugs and an advice sheet were provided at the point of sale to consecutive purchasers of new motorcycle crash helmets. Forty-eight riders were recruited but data for analysis were only available in 41. The earplug usage rate was significantly increased from 27% to 83% by this intervention. The second solution involves various aerodynamics and sound-proofing helmet modifications made in an effort to reduce interior noise levels. The only modification which achieved a significant reduction from previously reported average sound levels was the incorporation of a pair of 'standard' earmuffs under the helmet shell. This gave noise levels of 84 dB(A) at 22 m/s (50 mph) and 93 dB(A) at 36 m/s (80 mph), compared to known average values of 95 dB(A) and 107 dB(A), respectively. Both solutions are eminently feasible and desirable, and we hope that the motorcycle industry will act on them.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Noise exposure, awareness, attitudes and use of hearing protection in a steel rolling mill in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To study exposure to noise, the attitudes and knowledge towards noise-induced hearing loss and the actual use of hearing protection in a steel rolling mill in Nigeria. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered to 116 randomly selected workers to collect information relating to their knowledge and attitudes towards hazardous occupational noise and preventative measures. Noise mapping of the factory was also carried out. RESULTS: Time weighted average noise levels were: administrative area 49 dBA, mechanic/maintenance workshop 72 dBA, mill floor 86 dBA and finishing stage 93 dBA. There was high awareness of the hazard of noise to hearing (93%) and of methods of prevention (92%) but only 27% possessed hearing protectors and only 28% of these stated that they used them all the time. CONCLUSION: While noise is recognized as a hazard, initiatives are required to increase use of effective preventative measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Silence is golden.

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Ear Protective Devices↗