Hearing Safety - Noise

The references on this page provide information related to noise in construction including OSHA's noise construction regulations, national consensus standards and recommendations from other professional organizations, health effects and general resources.

Occupational Noise Exposure Standards
NIOSH - Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
Council for Accrediation in Occupational Hearing Conservation

Laboratory Equipment Produces Noise
While the noise levels in most laboratories are below the threshold level that damages hearing, laboratory noise can be fairly loud. The operation of large analyzers (e.g., chemistry analyzer), fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, incubators, cell washers, tissue homogenizers, and stirrer motors, all contribute to the noise level.
Things like moving noise-producing equipment from the laboratory to an equipment room or placing compressors for controlled temperature rooms in a remote location can minimize noise and protect your hearing. Click Here to read more information from OSHA on noise safety in laboratories.

You can avoid hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to noise while working in the music and entertainment industry. Following some practical guidelines on noise management allows you to take reasonable care of your health and safety as well as others you work with. Click Here to read more information about protecting your hearing in the music and entertainment industry.

A 25 year old farmer can often have the ears of a 50 year old if they don't protect their hearing. Check out this brochure to increase your awareness of the relationship between farm noise and early onset tinnitus (e.g. ringing or buzzing in the ears) as well as hearing loss among farmers. Remember hearing loss caused my farm noise is preventable. It's up you to protect them.

Exposure to high noise levels among fire firefighters is well documented. One of the many hazards of the 1.1 million fire fighters working in the united Sates, is noise-induced hearing loss. Fire sirens, alarms, communication devices, engine pumps and pneumatic tools are just some of the sources for potentially damaging noise. Click here to get more information about promoting hearing health among Fire Fighters!

Noise, or unwanted sound, is one of the most pervasive occupational health problems. Overexposure to high noise levels can cause permanent hearing loss, which reduces the ability to understand speech and enjoy desirable sounds such as music and bird songs. Excessive noise exposure may also contribute to other health effects such as tinnitus (ringing in the ear), increased blood pressure, nervousness, sleeplessness and fatigue.

Noise sources capable of damaging hearing include wood and metal working power tools, chain saws, earthmoving equipment, mechanical equipment (boilers, chillers, and compressors), firearms and musical instruments. As a rule of thumb, if one must shout to be heard at a distance of 3 feet, the noise level likely exceeds 85 dBA, the average allowable noise level for an 8-hour workday. A ringing sensation in the ear after work is also a sign of overexposure to noise.

The University of Arizona's Hearing Conservation Program is designed to prevent noise induced hearing loss by preventing employee exposure to excessive workplace noise. This program is mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Occupational Noise Exposure standard (29 CFR 1910.95). Under the OSHA standard, the University must:

• Assess employee noise exposures. Where noise exposure levels exceed the Threshold Limit Value of 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted average, the following actions are required:
  • Eliminate or reduce the noise hazard to the extent possible through engineering controls and work practices;
  • Provide hearing protectors when controls are not possible, are insufficient, or while such controls are being implemented;
  • Provide audiometric testing initially and yearly;
  • Train employees on preventing noise-induced hearing loss and proper use of hearing protectors;
  • Develop a written Hearing Conservation Plan, maintain records and review the program annually.