Masonry Magazine March 2007 Page. 51
In response, Witt said, HPD manufacturers are increasingly working to develop more innovative products that protect without compromising these basic communication needs. One way this has been accomplished, according to Witt, is by designing HPDs with "flatter" attenuation characteristics.
"First-generation earplugs and earmuffs were not so effective against low-frequency noise, but attenuated high-frequency noise quite easily. These ski-slope attenuation curves created a distorted sound while wearing HPDs, making speech difficult to understand."
In contrast, newer generations of hearing protectors have raised low-frequency attenuation significantly, nearly matching the high-frequency attenuation. "This flatter attenuation curve creates a sound while wearing HPDs that is more natural," Witt said. "It still blocks the noise, but with less distortion of speech and warning signals. The effect is most noticeable for workers who have some existing hearing loss, even a mild loss."
Another innovative approach to managing the sound in loud environments is through sound amplification earmuffs. "How many times have we seen workers remove their earplugs to hear a radio call, or lift up their earmuff to talk to a co-worker?" Witt asked. "Sound amplification earmuffs have microphones, placed directionally on the ear cups, which amplify normal sounds to a safe level, while still protecting [wearers] from the hazardous workplace noise. The result is that workers have more control over hearing what they need to hear, without compromising protection."
Witt predicts this trend will guide new product development for several years to come. "We are just now beginning to take full advantage of recent advances in material and manufacturing technology that make these new approaches to hearing protection possible and economically viable," he said. "This, in turn, has sparked new developments in the design of these systems so we can better control not only how much, but the manner in which sound reaches the human ear."
But new technology is not the only way safety officers are seeking to "manage" sound in their workplace environments. "One of the simplest things they can do is provide HPDs with a range of attenuation ratings (NRRs)" said Witt. "By targeting attenuation to the level of the noise hazard, workers can be assured of adequate protection, while not totally blocking their ability to hear and communicate on the job."
Carrot More Effective Than the Stick
KNOWING what safety precautions need to be followed and getting workers to follow through can be a tough sell.
"The word 'motivation' does not appear in OSHA's regulations on hearing conservation," Witt said. "But the safety-savvy employer will know motivation is the keystone to preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Motivated employees take respon-
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