NIOSH Launches Hearing Loss Prevention App

01.26.2017
HR & Safety

NIOSH recently launched a new mobile app for iOS devices that will measure sound levels in the workplace to help workers learn about their noise exposure and reduce the chances of hearing loss.
NIOSH estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels every year.
sound-level-meter-appIn addition to damaging workers’ quality of life, occupational hearing loss carries a high economic burden.
An estimated $242 million is spent annually on workers’ comp for hearing loss disability.
The easy-to-use new Sound Level Meter app is designed to assist industrial hygienists, occupational safety and health managers, and workers who may not have access to professional sound measurement instruments to measure noise levels on the spot.
The app is also designed to help raise awareness among workers about their work environment, especially those in the construction and the service industries (including musicians, teachers, and restaurant workers).

How It Works

A practical tool that collects noise exposure data, the app provides a readout of the sound level in the workplace using either the built-in microphone or an external microphone and reports the instantaneous sound level in weighted decibels.
When the user presses the PLAY button to collect sound levels, excluding conversations, the app stores the data collected on the user’s device for downloading and sharing with managers or occupational safety and health staff. The app also provides important information about noise and hearing loss prevention.

The REL for noise is 85 decibels, as an 8-hour time-weighted average.

NIOSH establishes recommended exposure limits (REL) for various hazards based on the best available science and practice.
The REL for noise is 85 decibels, as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Exposures at or above this level are considered hazardous to a worker’s hearing.
When the user presses the PLAY button to collect sound levels, excluding conversations, the app stores the data collected on the user’s device for downloading and sharing with managers or occupational safety and health staff. The app also provides important information about noise and hearing loss prevention.
Researchers hope that increased awareness could lead workers and managers to request professional noise surveys and to implement engineering controls or hearing conservation programs to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.


Hearing loss prevention will be one of the topics addressed at the CBIA 2017 Safety & Health Conference on May 19. Save the date!
 

Tags:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected with CBIA News Digests

The latest news and information delivered directly to your inbox.

CBIA IS FIGHTING TO MAKE CONNECTICUT A TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS, JOBS, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. A BETTER BUSINESS CLIMATE MEANS A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE.