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NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:

Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention

Approximately 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job
Ear, Welder, Carpenter Ear, Welder, Carpenter Ear, Welder, Carpenter

Nominations Being Accepted for First "Safe in Sound" Award

NIOSH and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) have established a new award to be given each year to companies or organizations that exemplify Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention. The first "Safe in Sound" award will be presented at the NHCA annual conference in February 2009 and will recognize organizations that document measurable achievements in hearing loss prevention programs, obtain information on their real-world successes, and widely disseminate information on how others can use these successful strategies or benchmark their own programs. Additional information and submission details can be found at http://www.safeinsound.us. Nominations will be accepted until September 1, 2008.

 

 


Overview


Noise is not a new hazard. It has been a constant threat since the industrial revolution. Too much noise exposure may cause a temporary change in hearing (your ears may feel stuffed up) or a temporary ringing in your ears (tinnitus). These short-term problems usually go away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noise. However, repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus .

NIOSH recommends removing hazardous noise from the workplace whenever possible and using hearing protectors in those situations where dangerous noise exposures have not yet been controlled or eliminated.

 



Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention

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