Solution Summary: Hearing Protectors with Phone Connectivity
Hearing protectors with phone connectivity prevent hearing loss due to noise overexposure while allowing safe and seamless phone and radio communication.
Description:
Hearing protectors with phone connectivity help reduce hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise overexposure while enabling phone calls and other communications. Workers no longer have to remove their hearing protection to answer a call or a radio.
Hearing protectors with phone connectivity have built-in radios or Bluetooth connections so the need to wear hearing protection does not interfere with electronic communication.
3M PELTOR LEP-200
- Style: earplugs
- Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 23-30 depending on eartip type
- Connectivity: wireless connectivity (two-way) through a separately-sold Bluetooth neckloop accessory with an external jack
- Power: micro USB or three AA batteries (16 hours)
3M PELTOR WS LiteCom PRO III Headset
Source: www.3m.com
- Style: neckband
- Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 28
- Connectivity: Bluetooth-enabled two-way communication and external jack for smartphone
- Power: rechargeable lithium-ion battery (11 hours)
Elvex/DeltaPlus COM-660NRW
Source: www.deltapluscorp.com
- Style: headset (available in cap mount version)
- Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 22
- Connectivity: ComConnect™ headset with wireless pairing capability
- Power: 2 AA alkaline batteries or replace with NiMH rechargeable batteries to convert to rechargeable system
Elvex/DeltaPlus COM-660W
Source: www.deltapluscorp.com
- Style: headset (available in cap mount version)
- Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): 22
- Connectivity: sync to cell phones, MP3 players and communication applications
- Power: recharging USB Micro Port
Honeywell Sync
- Style: headset
- Volume Management Technology manages output volume from portable audio devices at 82 dBA
- Sound amplification technology that allows wearers to hear important communications from co-workers, alarms, and important warning signals at a safely amplified level
- Provides ideal protection from most low to medium hazardous noise levels
- Includes 3.5mm input cable, plugs into most MP3 players, mobile phones, and other personal audio devices
Risks Addressed:
Repeated overexposure to noise causes permanent hearing loss and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). It has also been associated with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases (Girard et al, 2015).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that workers’ 8-hour average exposure remain under 90 decibels, while NIOSH has recommended that it remain under 85 decibels. NIOSH’s recommendations are more protective and preferred for maximum hearing conservation. Table 1 shows how long a worker can safely be exposed to different levels of noise (measured in A-weighted decibels, or dBA) according to both OSHA and NIOSH criteria.
|
dBA |
OSHA |
NIOSH |
|
80 |
32 hours |
>24 hours |
|
85 |
16 hours |
8 hours |
|
90 |
8 hours |
2.5 hours |
|
95 |
4 hours |
47.6 minutes |
|
100 |
2 hours |
15 minutes |
|
105 |
1 hour |
4.7 minutes |
|
110 |
30 minutes |
1.5 minutes |
|
115 |
15 minutes |
28 seconds |
|
120 |
7.5 minutes |
9 seconds |
|
125 |
3.8 minutes |
3 seconds |
Table 1
How Risks are Reduced:
Hearing protectors with phone connectivity are similar to traditional hearing protection devices in that they protect workers’ hearing by blocking harmful levels of noise from entering the ear. However, hearing protectors with phone connectivity recognize that workers may need to take calls or communicate over a radio even when hazardous levels of noise remain in the immediate environment. These hearing protection devices prevent workers from having to choose between preserving their hearing and communicating with coworkers and management.
One of the main complaints of workers who are required to use standard hearing protection devices is that they interfere with on-the-job communication (Cuta & Madison, 2014). Integrating hearing protection and communication capabilities can improve worker safety (Oinonen, Myllymäki, Ritamaki, & Kivikoski, 2007) by removing a major barrier to hearing protection use.
Effects on Productivity:
n/a
Additional Considerations:
Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR) are based on laboratory tests that may not fully represent real-world conditions. OSHA recommends “derating” the published NRR on hearing protection devices by subtracting seven and dividing the remainder by two for a more accurate estimate.
Hearing protection devices should be used as a last resort when substitution, elimination, and engineering controls are not achievable. Buying quieter tools and machinery can eliminate the need for hearing protection. Administrative controls and work practices can also be used to reduce the amount of time any one employee spends in a noisy area. If these practices are not sufficient to reduce workers’ noise exposure to 85 decibels or less, employers must provide appropriate hearing protection devices as part of a written hearing conservation program.
Contributors:
Sara Brooks, MPH - CPWR The Center for Construction Research and Training
Jean Christophe Le, MPH - CPWR The Center for Construction Research and Training
Alan Echt, MPH, DrPH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Availability
3M
To obtain information, visit 3M PELTOR WS LiteCom PRO III Headset and 3M Peltor LEP-200
or contact 1-888-364-3577
Elvex/DeltaPlus
To obtain information, visit COM-660NRW and COM-660W
or contact 1-800-888-6582 customerservice@deltapluscorp.com
Honeywell
To obtain information, visit Sync
or contact 1-800-430-5490
