Preserving the Precious Sense of Hearing AASHTO 2014 Seattle, WA Corey Lane Industrial Hygiene Program Manager WSDOT

Noise Hazards Sound is measured in units called decibels. The higher the number, the noisier it is. If exposed above 85 decibels for long periods of time for many years, you can loose hearing. The louder and/or longer the noise exposure, the higher the risk of hearing loss.

3 How Does Noise Cause Hearing Loss? Very loud sound (> dB) creates immediate physical damage, tearing of delicate tissues. Acute trauma – happens immediately. Chronic exposure to moderately loud noise creates metabolic exhaustion – typically takes years or decades.  Reduction in blood flow  Neurotransmitter (glutamate) accumulates to toxic concentrations  Calcium balances change

Economic Burden of Hearing Loss Occupational hearing loss costs a estimated $242.4 million per year in disability alone in the U.S. This figure does not include medical costs or personal costs which can include approximately $1,500 for a hearing aid and around $300 per year for batteries. Through their hearing conservation program, the U.S. Army saved $504.3 million by reducing hearing loss among combat arms personnel between 1974 and The Department of Veterans Affairs saved $220.8 million and the Army an additional $149 million by reducing civilian hearing loss between 1987 and

Washington State Compensation 5

6 The Ear Any questions? Hair Cells This is your inner earThis is your inner ear on noise Normal hair cells Damaged hair cells

7 Words 1. Fill 2. Catch 3. Thumb 4. Knee 5. Wise 6. Bath 7. Fish 8. Shows 9. Bed 10. Juice

8 Costs of Hearing Loss for the Employee Helen Keller Quote: “Blindness separates you from things; deafness separates you from people.”

Do Employees Get the Protection They Need? 9

Does Each Employee Get Stated Protection on Box? It is an average Ideal laboratory conditions Small test population Proposal for new/better rating system (“in committee”) 10

11 Lab determined vs. the amount of protection obtained in “real-world”

Ensuring Employees Get the Protection They Need 12

Range of Individual Protection 13

Range of Individual Protection Where are your employees on the chart? 14

15 Contact Information Corey Lane WSDOT Industrial Hygiene Program Manager

Free Earplug FitCheck I look forward to meeting you and checking the amount of protection you obtain In the lobby (unless it’s somewhere else) 16