Several industries produce undesirable noise pollution that can cause long-term health issues. The employees exposed to continuous high intensity noise are prone to hearing loss and other harmful health issues. The noise is generated as a by-product from several industrial processes. The sound waves hit the eardrum as pressure changes in the surrounding air. The higher the intensity of the sound waves, the greater is vibration caused. Over an extended duration of time, the undesirable noise can induce temporary or permanent hearing loss. Generally, brief exposures to noise can be cured with sufficient rest, but prolonged exposures can cause irreversible damage.

A hearing conservation program is primarily used to prevent permanent loss of hearing due to occupational reasons. The programs aims to protect the employees from noise induced health issues even if the exposure to noise is long term. The hearing conservation program also provides emotional support to the employees, but improving their morale and instilling a sense of safety and comfort. By targeting the employees exposed to prolonged noise, the program helps to alleviate stress levels and bring back normality of health. The program also helps increase the employee productivity levels by developing confidence and motivation.

Hearing conservation programs instruct the employees about the correct usage of noise reduction devices in order to protect the ears from high intensity noise. When the noise exposure of the employees is above an average permissible level, employers must employ hearing conservation programs as a hearing loss preventive action. When employees become aware of the bad effects of prolonged noise on their hearing as well as general health, they become more open to hearing conservation programs. Therefore, these programs include audiometric testing and presentations on the undesirable effects of noise exposure.

The hearing conservation program comprises of a monitoring program, which calculates the employee’s exposure to noise. The unit used for calculation is an eight hour time weighted average or TWA. The noise exposure includes intermittent sounds, impulses or continuous noise, and within the audible range of 80dB to 130dB. When the cumulative noise is above 85 decibels after averaging over an eight-hour typical work shift, the employee must be included in the hearing conservation program.

After the monitoring results are collected, the employee must take the audiometric testing program, where the employee’s hearing ability is measured and documented over time. This also helps to educate the employee on the effects of noise on his hearing and overall health.

The employee is then educated about the hearing protection devices or HPDs. These devices are used to attenuate the noise levels and provide protection to the employee from high intensity sounds. These devices must be provided by the employer and should be suitable to the type of noise being generated.

The hearing conservation program also includes employee training and continued education program. This helps to educate the employee on health problems due to noise exposure, and help them understand the value of hearing protection devices and their proper usage. The employees are educated on the purpose of tests such as audiometric testing. The hearing conservation program also includes record keeping for future access, assessment and transfer.

References: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/hcps.html