O9: Field Performance of Hearing Protection Devices
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Cincinnati, OH
United States of America
Wed, 5/22: 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM EDT
Education Session
Education Session
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Room: A 122
CM Credit Hours: 1
Description
Hearing protection devices (HPD) are personal protective equipment worn to reduce noise exposure levels. All HPDs sold in the United States are labeled with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), calculated from noise reduction measurements made in a laboratory. Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that individual attenuation in the field is much less than the laboratory attenuation NRR. Although derating schemes have been developed to adjust the NRR, they still fail to accurately predict the attenuation achieved by most workers. In the last decade, several HPD fit-testing systems have become commercially available. These systems measure individual attenuation provided by HPDs. The field noise reduction provided by HPDs varies with the quality of fit, noise spectra, and the specific device. The misuse of subtracting a single number rating from A-weighted noise level magnified these deviations. Improving the quality of fit and including C-weighted noise level can reduce the variability and improve protection estimation for different noises. Fit-testing in conjunction with extensive training improves the attenuation achieved by the individual wearers. By ensuring that HPDs are properly fitted, fit testing contributes to effectively reducing workers' exposure to excessive noise over time.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, the participant will be able to:
• Utilize HPD fit-testing systems in industrial workplaces.
• Conduct field attenuations of HPDs.
• Compare attenuation field estimates with attenuation rating methods.
• Track the precision of derating an attenuation rating in the field.
• Assess effectiveness of HPD fit-testing & training to improve attenuation.
• Evaluate changes in personal attenuation rating (PAR) during a work shift.
• Utilize HPD fit-testing systems in industrial workplaces.
• Conduct field attenuations of HPDs.
• Compare attenuation field estimates with attenuation rating methods.
• Track the precision of derating an attenuation rating in the field.
• Assess effectiveness of HPD fit-testing & training to improve attenuation.
• Evaluate changes in personal attenuation rating (PAR) during a work shift.
Content Level
Intermediate
Interactive Session Experience
Quiz
Organizational Category
Corporation/Company
Primary Industry
All Industries
Construction
Manufacturing
Topics
Also part of the Virtual Program
Available as part of AIHA CONNECT OnDemand
Noise/Hearing Loss Prevention