Physical Health Hazards: Noise

These flashcards encompass key vocabulary and concepts related to noise exposure, hearing loss, and safety regulations as discussed in the lecture on Physical Health Hazards.

Decibels (dB)

A logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity; a 3 dB increase represents a doubling of sound pressure.

Hearing Loss

A reduction in the ability to hear sounds, which can be conductive or sensorineural.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Permanent hearing loss resulting from damage to hair cells in the inner ear due to excessive sound exposure.

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a U.S. agency that sets and enforces standards for workplace safety.

Action Level (AL)

The noise level (85 dBA TWA) at which hearing conservation measures must be implemented according to OSHA.

Noise Control Hierarchy

A systematic approach for controlling noise exposure, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Audiometric Testing

A hearing test that measures an individual's hearing loss at various frequencies, used to detect noise-induced hearing loss.

Tinnitus

A condition characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears, often caused by excessive noise exposure.

NRR (Noise Reduction Rating)

A measure of the effectiveness of hearing protection devices in reducing sound exposure.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

The maximum allowable noise exposure level (90 dBA for an 8-hour TWA) set by OSHA to protect workers from hearing loss.

Decibels (dB)

A logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity; a 3 dB increase represents a doubling of sound pressure.

How is a decibel level calculated?

N{dB} = 10 \log{10} (P/P{ref}) where P is the power of the sound and P{ref} is a reference power.

Hearing Loss

A reduction in the ability to hear sounds, which can be conductive or sensorineural.

What is conductive hearing loss?

Hearing loss caused by problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from reaching the inner ear, often treatable.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Permanent hearing loss resulting from damage to hair cells in the inner ear due to excessive sound exposure.

What makes NIHL permanent?

Damage to the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear is irreversible, leading to permanent hearing impairment.

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a U.S. agency that sets and enforces standards for workplace safety.

What is OSHA's primary goal?

To ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

Action Level (AL)

The noise level (85 dBA TWA) at which hearing conservation measures must be implemented according to OSHA.

What specific hearing conservation measures are required at the Action Level?

Monitoring noise levels, providing audiometric testing, making hearing protectors available, and offering employee training.

Noise Control Hierarchy

A systematic approach for controlling noise exposure, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

What are examples of engineering and administrative controls?

Engineering controls include modifying equipment or processes to reduce noise at the source. Administrative controls include limiting worker exposure time to noisy areas.

Audiometric Testing

A hearing test that measures an individual's hearing loss at various frequencies, used to detect noise-induced hearing loss.

What is a Standard Threshold Shift (STS)?

A change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram of an average of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear.

Tinnitus

A condition characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears, often caused by excessive noise exposure.

What are common characteristics of tinnitus?

Perception of sound (ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking) when no external sound is present; can be temporary or chronic.

NRR (Noise Reduction Rating)

A measure of the effectiveness of hearing protection devices in reducing sound exposure.

How is NRR used in practice?

The NRR is typically subtracted from the measured noise level to estimate a worker's effective exposure when using hearing protection, often with a derating factor.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

The maximum allowable noise exposure level (90 dBA for an 8-hour TWA) set by OSHA to protect workers from hearing loss.

What is the exchange rate for OSHA's PEL?

OSHA's PEL uses a 5 dBA exchange rate, meaning that for every 5 dBA increase in noise level, the allowed exposure time is halved.

Decibels (dB)

A logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity; a 3 dB increase represents a doubling of sound pressure.

How is a decibel level calculated?

N{dB} = 10 \log{10} (P/P{ref}) where P is the power of the sound and P{ref} is a reference power.

What does 'dBA' signify?

dBA refers to A-weighted decibels, which is a measure of sound intensity that has been adjusted to reflect the loudness perceived by the human ear, as the ear is more sensitive to certain frequencies than others.

Hearing Loss

A reduction in the ability to hear sounds, which can be conductive or sensorineural.

What is conductive hearing loss?

Hearing loss caused by problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from reaching the inner ear, often treatable.

What is sensorineural hearing loss?

Hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve, often permanent.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Permanent hearing loss resulting from damage to hair cells in the inner ear due to excessive sound exposure.

What makes NIHL permanent?

Damage to the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear is irreversible, leading to permanent hearing impairment.

What are common early symptoms of NIHL?

Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, trouble understanding conversations in noisy environments, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a U.S. agency that sets and enforces standards for workplace safety.

What is OSHA's primary goal?

To ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

What role does OSHA's §1910.95 regulation play in hearing conservation?

OSHA's §1910.95 is the Occupational Noise Exposure standard, which outlines requirements for employers to protect workers from job-related hearing loss.

Action Level (AL)

The noise level (85 dBA TWA) at which hearing conservation measures must be implemented according to OSHA.

What specific hearing conservation measures are required at the Action Level?

Monitoring noise levels, providing audiometric testing, making hearing protectors available, and offering employee training.

Explain the concept of 'Time-Weighted Average (TWA)' in relation to noise exposure.

TWA is the average noise exposure level over an 8-hour workday, taking into account varying noise levels throughout the day.

Noise Control Hierarchy

A systematic approach for controlling noise exposure, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

What are examples of engineering and administrative controls?

Engineering controls include modifying equipment or processes to reduce noise at the source. Administrative controls include limiting worker exposure time to noisy areas.

Why is the Noise Control Hierarchy important, and what is its preferred order of controls?

It prioritizes the most effective controls: eliminating the source, then engineering controls, administrative controls, and finally PPE as a last resort to minimize reliance on individual actions.

Audiometric Testing

A hearing test that measures an individual's hearing loss at various frequencies, used to detect noise-induced hearing loss.

What is a Standard Threshold Shift (STS)?

A change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram of an average of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear.

What is the purpose of a baseline audiogram?

A baseline audiogram is the initial hearing test used as a reference point to compare against future audiograms to detect any changes in hearing threshold over time.

Tinnitus

A condition characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears, often caused by excessive noise exposure.

What are common characteristics of tinnitus?

Perception of sound (ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking) when no external sound is present; can be temporary or chronic.

Are there any treatments or management strategies for tinnitus?

While there's no single cure, management strategies include sound therapy (masking, TRT), counseling, stress management, and treating underlying medical conditions.

NRR (Noise Reduction Rating)

A measure of the effectiveness of hearing protection devices in reducing sound exposure.

How is NRR used in practice?

The NRR is typically subtracted from the measured noise level to estimate a worker's effective exposure when using hearing protection, often with a derating factor.

What factors can impact the true effectiveness of an NRR for hearing protectors?

The actual fit, proper use, cleanliness, and maintenance of the hearing protection device, as well as individual user variability.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

The maximum allowable noise exposure level (90 dBA for an 8-hour TWA) set by OSHA to protect workers from hearing loss.

What is the exchange rate for OSHA's PEL?

OSHA's PEL uses a 5 dBA exchange rate, meaning that for every 5 dBA increase in noise level, the allowed exposure time is halved.

How does the PEL differ from the Action Level (AL)?

The PEL (90 dBA) is the maximum allowable noise exposure, while the AL (85 dBA) is a lower threshold at which a hearing conservation program must begin, even before the PEL is reached.