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Hearing Conservation Program
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studies have established the link between exposures to intense noise
levels and permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss caused by excessive
exposure to intense noise levels, or noise-induced hearing loss, can greatly
handicap a person’s communication ability. Sounds will seem not only
softer than normal, but distorted or garbled as well. Persons suffering
from noise-induced hearing loss can experience dramatic decreases in
communication ability, work productivity, and satisfaction with their
quality of life. Noise-induced hearing loss is even more unfortunate
because, with proper prevention techniques, it can almost be entirely
avoided. People who work with or around industrial equipment are the
most at-risk population for noise-induced hearing loss. For this
reason, it is important that employers provide comprehensive Industrial
Hearing Conservation Programs for their employees.
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JISH
is well-equipped to perform accurate noise measurements studies
conforming to current OSHA specifications. The JISH Audiology staff
provide training and in-services to businesses and the medical
community on the effects of noise on hearing, and on how to protect
hearing by properly using and maintaining hearing protection devices.
In those in-services our staff stress the importance of annual
hearing testing and on how it is used to monitor hearing levels. Our
ear -mold laboratory manufactures top-quality, custom-fit personal
hearing protection devices.
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An effective Industrial Hearing Conservation Program
(IHCP) consists of:
- Periodic Hearing
Evaluations are made at least once each year to monitor the status
of each employee's hearing in order to identify hearing losses at
early stages and to prevent further damage.
- Noise exposure
measurement includes evaluating the noise levels each employee is
exposed to, determining the noise protection needs for individual
employees, and overseeing the fitting of standard disposable
hearing protection devices or custom-fitted personal hearing
protection devices (PHPDs) for employees
who are exposed noise.
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| An Industrial
Hearing Conservation Program benefits both employee and employer. The
employee benefits maintaining hearing sensitivity. The employer benefits
by avoiding decreases in employee safety and productivity resulting
from communication breakdowns. Finally, an Industrial Hearing
Conservation Program is a tangible demonstration of the importance
employers place upon the safety and personal wellbeing of their
employees. |
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