Hearing Hearing ConservationConservation …and all that noise…and all that noise

Patricia GakisPatricia Gakis

Mapleleaf FoodsMapleleaf Foods

May 4, 2012May 4, 2012

Remember:Remember:

May is speech and May is speech and hearing awareness hearing awareness

month!month!

OutlineOutline

What is hearing conservation?What is hearing conservation? The hearing protection The hearing protection

programprogram Hearing protection PPEHearing protection PPE

What is hearing?What is hearing?

Definition: “…ability to perceive Definition: “…ability to perceive sound by detecting vibrations sound by detecting vibrations through an organ such as the ear.” – through an organ such as the ear.” – Auditory NeuroscienceAuditory Neuroscience, 2011, 2011

Hearing ConservationHearing Conservation

Prevent loss of hearing due to noise Prevent loss of hearing due to noise from environmental factorsfrom environmental factors

OrganizationsOrganizations National Hearing Conservation National Hearing Conservation

AssociationAssociation

But what could cause so But what could cause so much so much noise?much so much noise?

In the home or in In the home or in public:public: Loud music/TVLoud music/TV Power Power

tools/appliancestools/appliances Firearms/fireworksFirearms/fireworks Concerts/bars/night Concerts/bars/night

clubsclubs

What causes noise?What causes noise?

At MWDC:At MWDC: Equipment and toolsEquipment and tools Fans/ventilation systemFans/ventilation system TrucksTrucks

Hearing Protection PlanHearing Protection Plan

A program designed to help workers A program designed to help workers protect their hearing at workprotect their hearing at work

Required under the Saskatchewan Required under the Saskatchewan Occupational Health & Safety Occupational Health & Safety Regulations for facilities with high Regulations for facilities with high levels of noiselevels of noise

At MWDC: At MWDC: Hearing Protection Plan SOP 9.17Hearing Protection Plan SOP 9.17

Included in the program Included in the program is:is:

Post signs in areas of high noise (over Post signs in areas of high noise (over 85dBA)85dBA)

Hearing tests every 2 years (or sooner Hearing tests every 2 years (or sooner if new equipment is brought in)if new equipment is brought in)

Confidentiality of medical recordsConfidentiality of medical records Education about hearing loss and Education about hearing loss and

preventionprevention Use of PPE like ear plugs and ear Use of PPE like ear plugs and ear

muffsmuffs

What’s all the fuss What’s all the fuss about?about?

Hearing loss over time happens Hearing loss over time happens because of our lifestyles – even in because of our lifestyles – even in people who don’t work in high risk people who don’t work in high risk jobs but…jobs but…

At MWDC:At MWDC: 33% of workers have mild to severe 33% of workers have mild to severe

hearing loss.hearing loss. What might happen if you can’t hear What might happen if you can’t hear

on the job?on the job?

How can you tell if someone How can you tell if someone has hearing loss?has hearing loss?

1.1. Struggling to hear in a noisy Struggling to hear in a noisy environmentenvironment

2.2. Easily tiring from conversationsEasily tiring from conversations

3.3. Faking it/pretending to have heard Faking it/pretending to have heard a conversationa conversation

4.4. TV or stereo is always too loudTV or stereo is always too loud

5.5. Isolation, anger, suspicionIsolation, anger, suspicion

Hearing PPEHearing PPE

Two type of hearing protection Two type of hearing protection available:available: Ear plugsEar plugs Ear muffsEar muffs

SummarySummary

Hearing loss is common Hearing loss is common Small amounts of hearing loss will Small amounts of hearing loss will

happen because of our lifestyleshappen because of our lifestyles But it doesn’t have to happen – But it doesn’t have to happen –

especially not at work!especially not at work! Protect yourself and the people Protect yourself and the people

around you so we can all continue to around you so we can all continue to hear the world around us.hear the world around us.

Questions?Questions?