NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS (NIHL) BSUIR SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE APRIL 2015 BY ROMAN MATVEEV

N I H L

Introduction to NIHL NIHL is “a hearing impairment resulting from exposure to high levels of noise”, and it is also commonly known as industrial deafness.

Statistics

NIHL Irreversible hearing loss Reversible hearing loss

Intensity↔Pitch

INTENSITY Intensity = 20log reference particular 20dB=10*log dB=10*0dB 40dB=100*20dB 60dB=1000*40dB

85dB

NoiseLevel 94 dBMovie 99 dBSnowmobile 110 dBVideo Arcade 115 dBMotorboat 120 dBRock concert 127 dBSporting events 154 dBCar stereo 167 dBGunshot 180 dBFirecracker Table 2

20Hz Hz 20,000Hz PITCH The lowest limit of hearing range The upper limit of hearing range NIHL

Approximate Decibel Level Examples 0 dBThe quietest sound you can hear 30 dBWhisper, quiet library 60 dBNormal conversation, sewing machine, typewriter 90 dBLawnmover, truck traffic Maximum daytime exposure: 8 hours 100 dBChainsaw, drill, snowmobile Maximum daytime exposure: 2 hours 115 dBSandblasting, loud rock concert, auto horn Maximum daytime exposure: 2 hours 140 dBGun blast, jet engine Noise causes pain and injures to unprotected ears. Maximum allowed noise with hearing protector Table 1

How our hearing works MicroFilm: How Our Hearing Works

Like blades of grass…

Means of Ear Protection EarmuffsEarplugs

Conclusion: We should remember  NIHL is entirely preventable but once acquired it is irreversible.  The haircells never grow back, they are unrecoverable. That is why we should take care today.

Statistics of NHIL claims Claims for NIHL Percentage of Total Disease Claims Percentage of Total Disease and Injury Claims Number of Claims for NIHL *most recent data available (2006) Claims in SA decreased from 370 in 1999 to 190 in 2002 Although the number of NIHL claims has been reduced, it does not mean that noise induced deafness has been reduced

Statistics of NHIL claims NIHL Claims per Exposed Employees (2001/2) Number of claims per hundred thousand employees The highest number of claims are made by: Labourers and related workers, 33% Tradespersons and related workers, 30% Intermediate production & transport workers (plant or machine operators or transport drivers).

Statistics of NHIL claims The average cost of workers compensation claims for NIHL in 2001/2 was calculated to be $6711. Therefore, for Australia, the direct cost of NIHL claims for 2001/2 is calculated to be $6711 x 4510 claims i.e. just over $30 million. This figure does not include Hearing Aid fittings

Prevention NIHL Noise Control and Hearing Loss Prevention Program Establishing a noise control policy and program Actions to reduce noise exposure eg. Noise insulation, ear protection Actions to monitor the health of employees eg, annual hearing screening programs noise control policy and program will enable a systematic approach to hearing conservation in a company eg purchasing policy on equipment noise levels, mandatory ear protection, training programs for employees