Noise Work
Noise Work
In the work environment, noisy operations can pose a risk to employees' hearing and health. Noisy operations typically refer to tasks that generate noise exceeding safety standards or health limits during the work process. These noise sources may include machinery, tools, traffic, and factory production processes.
Health Hazards
Acute:
When the intensity of noise exceeds 140 dB, the energy generated by sound pressure can cause tearing injuries to the Organ of Corti and the basilar membrane within the cochlea, leading to permanent hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is often accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and typically occurs in work related to explosions.
Chronic:
Noise-induced hearing loss usually affects the hair cells of the inner ear and is characterized as progressive, with sensory-neural hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss is generally symmetrical, with hearing loss in both ears differing by no more than 10 decibels. The loss usually begins at high frequencies (3000-6000 Hz) and later spreads to lower frequencies (500-2000 Hz).
Typical noise-induced hearing loss is most severe at 3000-6000 Hz, with a notch appearing at 3K, 4K, or 6K on an audiogram, while hearing loss at 6K or 8K is milder, showing an upward shift.
Suggestions:
Level 1 Management: No specific regulations.
Level 2-4 Management:
Consideration should be given to health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, hearing abnormalities, and the health protection of pregnant workers.
Even completely deaf workers engaged in noise work should still undergo hearing protection and receive regular health examinations for noise-related work.
In the work environment, noisy operations can pose a risk to employees' hearing and health. Noisy operations typically refer to tasks that generate noise exceeding safety standards or health limits during the work process. These noise sources may include machinery, tools, traffic, and factory production processes.
Health Hazards
Acute:
When the intensity of noise exceeds 140 dB, the energy generated by sound pressure can cause tearing injuries to the Organ of Corti and the basilar membrane within the cochlea, leading to permanent hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is often accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and typically occurs in work related to explosions.
Chronic:
Noise-induced hearing loss usually affects the hair cells of the inner ear and is characterized as progressive, with sensory-neural hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss is generally symmetrical, with hearing loss in both ears differing by no more than 10 decibels. The loss usually begins at high frequencies (3000-6000 Hz) and later spreads to lower frequencies (500-2000 Hz).
Typical noise-induced hearing loss is most severe at 3000-6000 Hz, with a notch appearing at 3K, 4K, or 6K on an audiogram, while hearing loss at 6K or 8K is milder, showing an upward shift.
Suggestions:
Level 1 Management: No specific regulations.
Level 2-4 Management:
Consideration should be given to health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, hearing abnormalities, and the health protection of pregnant workers.
Even completely deaf workers engaged in noise work should still undergo hearing protection and receive regular health examinations for noise-related work.