Hearing Conservation

Many high-risk work environments contain a variety of potentially ear-splitting work being performed. Since 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported nearly 125,000 cases of permanent hearing loss in workers. Simply being exposed to hazardous noise levels can result in hearing loss by damaging the hair cells directly connected to nerve endings in the inner ear. However, the extent of this damage and the severity of hearing loss depend on the amount of noise to which you are exposed and the duration of exposure time.

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Identify how noise impacts hearing and the factors that determine the extent of hearing loss
• Identify noise exposure levels that require hearing protection according to Part VII of Canadian Regulations
• Identify how the types of hearing protectors are selected for a job, and their advantages and disadvantages for controlling noise exposure
• Identify correct use, care, and maintenance practices for hearing protectors
• Identify the requirements of a hearing conservation program

REGULATIONS

This course was designed to help satisfy requirements of the following regulations:

• Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part VII – Levels of Sound, Subpart 7.1 through 7.8
• CSA Standard Z-94.2 M1984, “Hearing Protectors”
• 29 CFR 1910.95
• 29 CFR 1910.145

• Noise and hearing
• Canadian OH&S Regulations noise exposure limits
• Hearing protectors
• Hearing conservation programs