Masonry Magazine March 2008 Page. 45
Hearing Risk by Activity
Image courtesy of House institute 00008 are fitted to the individual and are easier to insert deeply into the canal.
Not using hearing protection can result in tinnitus, or ringing of the ears, which can causes sleep loss and depression, according to Vermiglio. Also, inner ear damage can result in high-frequently hearing loss, which is significant since in speech, high-frequency sounds are those made by consonants.
"That's when a seasoned worker will say, "You don't have to yell, I can hear you, but they can't understand you because everything sounds muffled," Vermiglio says, noting the dangers of irreversible hearing loss. "And many people become candidates for hearing aids. Whereas glasses might restore perfect vision, hearing aids will get you part way there, but will never replace a normal set of healthy ears."
Employees in the construction industry must also consider what they are doing off duty. Listening to a blasting car stereo, running power tools or operating a speed boat adds to their overall noise dosage when they would be better off giving their ears time to rest.
To ensure earplugs are providing acceptable attenuation for employees, Sperian Hearing Protection recently launched VeriPRO, a new software program that determines if the hearing protection fits the worker, if it's being used properly and whether it's providing adequate protection.
"We can also offer one-on-one training to insert earplugs or help them select another type of hearing protection," says Renee Bessette, marketing manager for Sperian Hearing Protection. "One type of earplug does not fit all people."
Not your typical day at the office.
Not your typical workers' comp company.
Workers' Comp Insurance
Amerisafe
2301 Highway 190 West
DeRidder, Louisiana 70634-6006
Phone: 1-888-758-5038 Fax: 1-800-450-1091
E-mail: alic-mktg@amerisafe.com
AMERISAFE
American Interstate Insurance Company
Silver Oak Casualty Inc.