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NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS (NIHL)BSUIR SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCEAPRIL 2015
BY ROMAN MATVEEV
N I H L
Introduction to NIHL
NIHL is
“a hearing impairment resulting from exposure to high levels of noise”,
and it is also commonly known
as industrial deafness.
Statistics
Intensity↔Pitch
INTENSITYIntensity = 20logreferenceparticular20dB=10*log102020dB=10*0dB40dB=100*20dB60dB=1000*40dB
85dB
Noise Level
94 dB Movie
99 dB Snowmobile
110 dB Video Arcade
115 dB Motorboat
120 dB Rock concert
127 dB Sporting events
154 dB Car stereo
167 dB Gunshot
180 dB Firecracker
Table 2
PITCH
The lowest limit of hearing range
The upper limit of hearing range
NIHL
Approximate Decibel Level
Examples
0 dB The quietest sound you can hear
30 dB Whisper, quiet library
60 dB Normal conversation, sewing machine, typewriter
90 dB Lawnmover, truck trafficMaximum daytime exposure: 8 hours
100 dB Chainsaw, drill, snowmobileMaximum daytime exposure: 2 hours
115 dB Sandblasting, loud rock concert, auto hornMaximum daytime exposure: 2 hours
140 dB Gun blast, jet engineNoise causes pain and injures to unprotected ears. Maximum allowed noise with hearing
protector
Table 1
How our hearing works
MicroFilm: How Our Hearing Works
Like blades of grass…
Means of Ear Protection
Earmuffs Earplugs
Conclusion:Conclusion: We should We should rememberremember
NIHL is entirely preventable but once acquired it is irreversible.
The haircells never grow back, they are unrecoverable.
That is why we should take care today.
Statistics of NHIL claims
1998-99 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002
Claims for NIHL 5755 5280 5185 4510Percentage of Total Disease
Claims
24 22 21 19
Percentage of Total Disease and
Injury Claims
3.8 3.5 3.5 3.2
Number of Claims for NIHL
*most recent data available (2006)
Claims in SA decreased from 370 in 1999 to 190 in 2002Although the number of NIHL claims has been reduced, it does not mean that noise induced deafness has been reduced
Statistics of NHIL claims NIHL Claims per Exposed Employees (2001/2)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Num
ber o
f cla
ims p
er h
undr
ed th
ousa
nd e
mpl
oyee
s
The highest number of claims are made by: Labourers and related workers, 33% Tradespersons and related workers, 30% Intermediate production & transport workers (plant or machine operators or transport drivers).
Statistics of NHIL claims The average cost of workers compensation claims for NIHL in 2001/2 was calculated to be $6711.
Therefore, for Australia, the direct cost of NIHL claims for 2001/2 is calculated to be $6711 x 4510 claims i.e. just over $30 million.
This figure does not include Hearing Aid fittings
Prevention NIHL
Noise Control and Hearing Loss Prevention Program
Establishing a noise control policy and program
Actions to reduce noise exposure eg. Noise insulation, ear protection
Actions to monitor the health of employees eg, annual hearing screening programs
noise control policy and program will enable a systematicapproach to hearing conservation in a company eg purchasing policy on equipment noise levels, mandatory ear protection, training programs for employees