November 2005 Safety Tip

Hearing Protection

• Whether noise damages your hearing depends on three things: how loud it is, how long you are exposed, and how close you are to the source.



• As a rule of thumb, if you have to raise your voice when talking to someone a couple feet away, the noise is above the trigger level for wearing PPE.



• The type of hearing protection you may be required to wear depends on the type of noise hazards. The most common types are earplugs, canal caps, and earmuff cups.



• Wash your hands before inserting earplugs.



• Learn how to use the various types of soft and preformed earplugs. In general, you pull the ear up and back before inserting the plug.



• Wash reusable earplugs every day, and dry them before you store them.



• Replace them when they are worn or don't seem to fit.