How to develope hearing conservation program

How to develop HEARING
CONSERVATION PROGRAM
TATENDA MBADZO
Studied Bachelors Degree in Disaster Management at Bindura University of Science Education
Studied Bachelors Degree in Applied Technology at BYU-Pathway Idaho

Definition
• requires employers to monitor noise exposure levels in a way that accurately
identifies employees exposed to noise at or above 85 decibels (dB) averaged over 8
working hours, or an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
• Hearing conservation programs strive to prevent initial occupational hearing loss,
preserve and protect remaining hearing, and equip workers with the knowledge and
hearing protection devices necessary to safeguard themselves.

Steps taken when developing HCP
Noise exposure assessment
• Identify where there may be a risk from noise and who is likely to be affected e.g. use of Task Analysis.
• Turn on and setup the noise meter (consider weighting, range, fast/slow).
• Measure (if required) the noise output at set locations determined by a competent person, e.g. where
operators are sitting or standing, consider their different tasks at different times of the day including a
background reading.
• Operate at arms length, but in a position you can read the screen easily, as reflections from the body
can cause reading errors.
• Record a 30 second reading using a timer (you may need to do this throughout the day).
• Record the Leq (dB(A)).
• Record the dB(C) peak value.
• To record a dB(SIL) cycle through the recording until you reach 500Hz, 1.00K, 2.00K and 4.00K in the Hz
location, recording the dB value at each, then take an average.
• Calculate a reliable estimate of your employees’ exposures, and compare the exposure with the
exposure action values and limit values (see below).
• Identify what you need to do to comply with the law, e.g. whether noise-control measures or hearing
protection are needed, and, if so, where and what type.

Audiometric testing
• -Audiometry is a branch of audiology and the science of measuring hearing acuity for
variations in sound intensity and pitch and for tonal purity, involving thresholds and
differing frequencies
• Typically, audiometric tests determine a subject's hearing levels with the help of
an audiometer, but may also measure ability to discriminate between different
sound intensities, recognize pitch, or distinguish speech from background noise.
• Acoustic reflex and otoacoustic emissions may also be measured. Results of
audiometric tests are used to diagnose hearing loss or diseases of the ear, and often
make use of an audiogram

Hearing protection selection and fit
testing
• also known as field attenuation estimation system (FAES), determines how effective
a hearing protection device is for an individual when worn correctly
• This is typically carried out using one of the available fit-testing hardware and
software systems.
• The effectiveness is typically measured as a personal attenuation rating (PAR) which
is subtracted from the known noise exposure to estimate the total noise exposure a
single person has when wearing the tested hearing protection device (HPD)
• Hearing protection devices such as earplugs or earmuffs must be worn correctly for
the wearer to be protected from noise
• Choosing the most appropriate hearing protection device, both with appropriate
level of attenuation and appropriate fit for the individual.[4] Ideally, the device should
limit the sound intensity that reaches the ear to levels below 85 dBA. If the
attenuation does not limit the noise levels to that level, other alternatives should be
sought. If the attenuation is greater than that, it can also interfere with the HPD use

Conti…………..
• Wearing or inserting the hearing protection device correctly so it seals the
wearer's ear canal, using the "roll-pull-hold" method for foam earplugs, and ensuring
earmuffs create an unbroken seal around each ear.[6]
• Fit-testing hearing protection ensures both an appropriate choice of hearing
protection, and allows for the professional administering the fit-test to train proper
techniques for wear

Employee training and education
• Employee training is one of the most important components of an occupational
Hearing Conservation Program (HCP). Even a well-designed HCP can fall short of the
goal of preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) if the employees don’t know
how excessive noise exposure can harm them or haven’t learned the behaviors that
are necessary to reduce their risk. Employers may be able to improve the success of
their hearing loss prevention efforts by strengthening worker training programs to
address not only the KNOWLEDGE of the people involved but also
their ATTITUDES and BEHAVIORS.
• KNOWLEDGE: Understanding how noise can be harmful and how hearing protection
and noise controls can reduce the risks
• ATTITUDES: The belief that hearing is valuable and the personal desire to protect it
• BEHAVIORS: Learning how to protect yourself in noise and consistently practicing
those skills

Record keeping
• When employers document how and when they implemented each of the elements
of a Hearing Loss Prevention Program (HLPP) they may be better prepared to
demonstrate compliance with applicable regulations.
• In addition, good records may provide evidence to help an employer accurately track
employees' hearing over time and, if necessary, record cases of work-related noise-
induced hearing loss on the OSHA log of illness and injury, and/or respond to worker
compensation claims.
• Proper documentation of the steps taken to prevent noise-induced hearing loss
(NIHL) benefits both the employer and the noise-exposed worker
• Complete and accurate records are needed to determine whether OSHA Standard
Threshold Shifts (STS) are work-related.
• OSHA and other regulatory agencies require employers to maintain exposure
measurement and audiometric test records as part of a hearing conservation
program (HCP) and make them available when needed.

Cont.………….
• Good recordkeeping makes it easier for employers to evaluate the effectiveness of
their HCP.

Program evaluation
• The ultimate goal of a hearing conservation program is to protect people from developing a
hearing loss caused by working in hazardous noise. When all of the hearing conservation
program (HCP) tasks have been completed, and all of the regulations have been checked and
followed, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the overall hearing loss prevention
program (HLPP). Is it actually preventing noise-induced hearing loss? Are there gaps? How
can it be improved? Is the HLPP efficient and cost effective?
• There are several ways to measure the effectiveness of the program. One is to specifically
evaluate changes that occur as a result of the program, like the trend over time of the
number of hearing loss cases. Other outcome measures can be tracked, like successful
reduction of noise sources or exposures. Another approach is to look at the cost of delivering
the HLPP, comparing it to the cost of implementing noise control to reduce the noise hazards.
It can also be helpful to audit the HLPP for compliance and/or to review the company policies
and practices to ensure alignment between what is on paper and what really happens in
practice. A recent hearing conservation program checklist to assess effectiveness has been
developed (Neitzel et al, 2017).

Cont…………
• Conducting routine evaluations of program effectiveness is
recommended. Companies choose to review aspects of the HCP at different times to
spread the work load throughout the year or conduct an audit at the same time
every year or every other year. Program evaluation can be done by using internal
resources, contracting the service to outside subject matter experts, or through a
combination of both. Finally, once the key findings are identified, the next step is to
incorporate the recommendations into the HLPP

APPRECIATIONS
Siyabonga
Tatenda
Thank you

How to develope hearing conservation program

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