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OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, makes it mandatory for enterprises to provide hearing protection devices to employees working in high noise areas or where sound levels exceed 85 decibels. Hearing loss is caused by the excessive noise in places like airport tarmacs, industrial environments, factories, music events, etc. Loss may be full or partial and may also result in other hearing related problems, such as a buzzing in the ears.

Employers should conduct sound surveys to identify high noise areas and control noise exposures, enroll affected employees in a hearing conservation program and provide hearing protection devices (HPD) and rehabilitate workers who have suffered noise induced hearing loss to end highly preventable noise-induced hearing loss.

Choosing the right hearing protection device (HPD) or the right communication headsets like Ear Plugs and Ear Muffs for yourself or your employees is important.  In some cases inspite of providing headsets, fewer personnel are wearing these HPDs due to improper selection of the headset and thus exposing themselves to potential health problems. Points to keep in mind while selecting a HPD:
·         Noise Level – Access the noise level before selecting the device. Hearing protection device you choose should effectively protect against any type of noise.

·         Lower overall attenuation – Select a device that provides moderate to maximum attenuation. These can be adjusted according to changes in background noise that are intermittent, continuous or high impact.

·         Communication – HPD should have communication capabilities. Major reason for employees not wearing HPD is not being able to communicate. With these devices having built in communication, users can communicate face to face at short and long distances via a two way radio, Bluetooth cell phone or hands free communication with VOX activation in high noise environments.

·         Devices for Workers with hearing Problem – Special HPDs are manufactured for people who are already suffering from hearing loss. These devices compensate for lost hearing at the same time providing them protection.

·         Comfort – HPD’s should be comfortable to use else it will be removed by the employee. They should be simple to use, extremely comfortable and allow face-to-face, two-way or cell phone communication beyond 85dB.

·         Situational Awareness – Situational awareness is very important to avoid accidents. Employee should be able to determine the nature, distance and direction of speech and other sounds like alarms, vehicle noise while working.

Thus providing a good hearing protection devices like ear plugs and earmuffs makes a huge difference to the health of your employees, makes them more focused and change your workplace in many ways, all for the right reasons.