Solution Summary: Hearing Protectors with Phone Connectivity
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.
Availability
Honeywell
To obtain information, visit Sync
or contact 1-800-430-5490
Elvex/DeltaPlus
To obtain information, visit COM-660NRW and COM-660W
or contact 1-800-888-6582 customerservice@deltapluscorp.com
3M
To obtain information, visit 3M PELTOR WS LiteCom PRO III Headset and 3M Peltor LEP-200
or contact 1-888-364-3577