slides on non-auditory effects in occupational health

1. NON-AUDITORY EFFECTS
OF NOISE
PRESENTERS: RICHA POKHREL
TINA YADAV
MPH 2018
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2. INTRODUCTION
• Noise,defined as ‘unwanted sound’,is perceived as an
environmental stressor and nuisance.
• Non-auditory effects of noise can be defined as ‘all those
effects on health and well-being which are caused by exposure
to noise,with exclusion of effects which are due to the masking
of auditory information(i.e. Communication problems).
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3. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?
• 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job.
• 48% of U.S. adults believe they have suffered some hearing
loss.
• 39% of adults have had a hearing test in last three years.
• Impact on life.
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4. NON-AUDITORY EFFECTS OF NOISE
Effects cardiovascular system
Effects nervous system
Interers with speech and concentration
Causes annoyance,stress and fatigue
Reduce work efficiency
Lowers morale
Masks warning sound
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5. NON-AUDITORY EFFECTS OF NOISE
Psychological-can startle,annoy and distrupt
concentration,sleep,or relaxation.
Interference with communication,resulting in iterference with
job performance and safety.
Physiological-noise induced hearing loss, aural pain,or even
nausea,variation in respiration,blood glucose,lipid
levels,increased gastroinestinal motility and peptic ulcers.
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6. DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis is based on history of exposure to noise in the
workplace and not elsewhere,a clinical examination excluding
other causes of hearing loss and NIHL audiological profile.
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7. HISTORY-TAKING AND CLINICAL
EXAMINATION
• An occupational history should include:
• Information on current and all previous
employment(particularly related to noise exposure including
part-time jobs)
• Information on hobbies and other environmental exposures
should be elicited.
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8. NOISE CONTROL MEASURES
Engineering controls:
• Enclosures
• Sound barriers
• Complete enclosures
• Sound proof cabs
• Mufflers
• Equipment and exhaust
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9.  Administrative controls:If engineering controls are not
feasible,administrative controls should be considered
• Rotate emplyoees to reduce exposure
• Limit number of at-risk workers
• Modify or upgrade existing machinery
• Specify noise limit on new equipment
• Maintain and repair equipment/machinery
• Post signs for workers to use hearing protection
• Report noisy equipment/machinery to supervisor
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10. TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION
• There are three types of hearing protection-ear muffs,earplugs
and ear caps.
• Ear muffs and ear plugs provide about equal protection,ear
caps somewhat less.
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11. HEARING PROTECTION
SELECTION AND USE
• Ensure it is suitable for the job
• Make sure it hearing device does not interfere with safety equipment
• Discard disposal ear plugs
• Regular maintain ear muffs and ear channel caps
• Home-made protectors don’t work (e.g.cotton,wool)
• Use hearing protection with communication devices
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12. SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Protect your hearing off the job too.....
 Loud music: personal stereos,car entertainment,electronic devices
 Lawn mowers
 Chain saws
 Fire arms and fireworks
 Sporting events
 Racing
 Highway driving with vehicle windows open
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13. AUDIOMETRIC TESTING PROGRAM
• Baseline audiometric test taken when noise exposures equal or
exceed the action level
• A qualified person performs the hearing test,usually an audiologist
• Results interpreted by qualified person
• Audiometer checked before each use and caliberated acoustically
annually
• Records of calibrations required
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14. AUDIOMETRIC TESTING
• Provided at no cost to the employee
• Baseline audiogram within 6 months of first noise exposure at or
above action level
• For mobile test van,≥12 months
• Provided initially and anually
• Allowance for aging
• STS notification
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15.  PERSONNEL TRAINING
• Training is required for employees who are exposed to nose at
or above 8hr.TWA(time weighted average) of 85 dB.
• Topic must include:
1. Effects of noise on hearing
2. Purpose of hearing protectors
3. Advantages and disadvantages of hearing protectors
4. Attenution of hearing protectors
5. Instructions on selection,fitting,use and care of hearing
protectors
6. Purpose of audiometric testing 5/18/2019 15

16. POST THE STANDARD
• Make available to affected employees or their representatives
copies of the standard.
• Post a copy of the standard in the workplace
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17.  RECORDING
 Permanent hearing loss is a Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) recordable illness.
 Provide acess to employee exposure monitoring and audiometric data.
 If business terminates,tranfer records to successor or forward documents to
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Administration(NIOSH).
 Otherwise,keep noise measurement:≥2years
 Audiometric tests≥emploment duration:
1. name,job classification and dBA-TWA
2. Date,examiner’s name and caliberation date
3. Background measurements of audiometric test room
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18. REFERENCES
• Text book of Occupational Medicine Practice 2nd edition;David
Koh,Chia Kee Seng,J Jeyaratnam.
• Essentials of Environmental Health second edition;Robert H.
Frills.
• Current Occupational & Environmental Medicine;5th
edition;Joseph ladou,Robert Harrison
• Internet
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19. THANK YOU
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