3m safety & graphics business group advancements in ... 6/vina… · what is an audiometric...

© 2013 3M. All Rights Reserved. CONFIDENTIAL

3M Safety & Graphics Business Group

Advancements in Hearing Conservation Technologies11th Sep 2015

Safeand

Keeping you

Inspiringyour WorldVinay Pathak

Lab Head - 3M R&D Center - Gurgaon

2 © 2013 3M. All Rights Reserved. CONFIDENTIAL

3M Safety & Graphics Business GroupWhy is Hearing Loss Prevention So Important?

� Workplace noise exposure is widespread

� Manufacturing

� Mining

� Metal fabrication

� Welding

� Forestry

� Military

� Construction

� Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is most common recorded occupational illness now a days

� Symptoms of hearing loss are often unnoticed until permanent damage is done


3M Safety & Graphics Business Group Components of Sound

Duration

Level dB

Frequency Hz

3 main components of harmful sound


3M Safety & Graphics Business GroupComponents of Sound – Level dB

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Sound Pressure Level(decibels dB)

0.00002

0.0002

0.002

0.02

0.2

2.0

20.0

200.0

2000.0

Sound Pressure(Pascals Pa)

HEARING THRESHOLD

QUIET ROOM

WHISPER

CONVERSATION

VACUUM CLEANER

HAMMER DRILL

CHAIN SAW

GUN BLAST

JET ENGINE

PAIN

Ps

dB = 20log

Pr

Ps = Measured sound pressure level

P r = Reference pressure level of 20 micropascals ( 0.00002 Pa)



Sound duration is very important…

Hours Minutes Seconds

At work we may be subjected to it, occasionally or regularly

…for weeks, months or many years

Components of Sound – Duration

15 minutes at a 100 dB(A)

sound level gives the same

exposure as eight hours at an

85 dB(A) sound level.

When does sound become harmful?

ACGIH TLV Indian Factories Act – 1948 TLV

- 85 dB TWA (8 hours) - 85 dB TWA (8 hours)

- 3 dB exchange rate - 5 dB Exchange rate

• When noise level goes up 3 dB or 5dB, employers must cut the exposure time in half.

Duration per day Sound level dBA (ACGIH) Sound level dBA (Indian Factories Act))

16 hours 82 dB TWA 85 dB TWA




1 hour 94 dB TWA 105 dB TWA

1/2 hour 97 dB TWA 110 dB TWA

15 Minutes 100 dB TWA 115 dB TWA


3M Safety & Graphics Business Group How do we hear?


3M Safety & Graphics Business Group Ear Anatomy

Inner EarMiddle Ear

Outer Ear

Normal Cochlea

Moderate Hair cell Loss

Severe Hair cell loss

Healthy Hair cell:

Minimal noise exposure

Damaged hair cells:

Prolonged noise exposure



Noise over 85 decibels (dB) is hazardous

At higher dB levels, hearing is damaged faster

–Decibel scale is logarithmic

–1 hours at 100 dBA is equal to 8 hours at 90 dBA ( exchange rate of 3 dBA)

Rule of thumb:–It’s too loud if you have to shout to be heard by someone less than 3 feet away from you.

How Loud is too loud?


3M Safety & Graphics Business GroupHealth effects by exposure to noise

EffectsOf Noise

Auditory Non Auditory

Auditory Fatigue (temporary hearing loss)

Deafness (Permanent hearing loss)

� Tinnitus

� Annoying ringing or buzzing sound

� Interferes with concentration and sleeping

IMPACT ON THE BODY

• Sleeping problems

• High blood pressure

• Cardiac problems

• Muscular Contraction

EFFECT ON QUALITY OF LIFE

• Nervousness

• Poor concentration

• Fatigue

• Anxiety

• Stress



AUDIOMETRIC TESTING PROGRAM


3M Safety & Graphics Business GroupWhat is an Audiometric Test

� A test for determining your hearing sensitivity - Determines how well you can hear

� A very useful tool in the Noise protection program - Can identify when your hearing is being compromised

� Law Mandates for every employee exposed to High Noise

� Audiometric testing identifies…― Progressive noise-induced hearing losses before they become an impairment

― Temporary losses before they become permanent, providing time for remedial steps

� The audiometric technician must send the results of

• a new abnormal audiogram or an audiogram showing an abnormal shift,

• the baseline audiogram, and

• the health history to the physician or audiologist

� Designated by the employer to review audiograms.

� The employer should have these evaluated for finding High Risk Employees

� Should be used to direct intervention when corrective action is necessary



<1

5-9

15-19

40-52

Speech hearing range

Frequency (kHz)

Hearing loss

(dB)

0.5 8641 2 3

0

50

10

30

40

20

No hearing loss

Loss after < 1 year

exposure

Loss after 5-9

years exposure

Loss after 15-19

years exposure

Loss after 40-52

years exposure

Development of noise induced hearing loss from exposure to 100 dB noise

Hearing loss simulator


3M Safety & Graphics Business Group Hierarchy of noise control

Engineering Controls

Ideal

Personal Protection

Last Option



Disposable Earplugs

• Particularly suited for continuous wear and hot/humid situations

• Inexpensive solution to noise

• Effective attenuation

• Comfortable to wear over long periods

• No maintenance

Reusable Earplugs

• Particularly suited when hygiene is a concern

• Can be washed and reused

• Do not require rolling down before insertion

• Usually available in different sizes

Hearing protection - Earplugs


3M Safety & Graphics Business Group Hearing protection - Earmuffs

Passive Ear Muffs

• Suited for intermediate use

• Not to be worn for long uses

• Have liquid & Foam filled cup seals to achieve proper sealing of noise

• Available as over the head, behind the neck and helmet attachment

Semi Active Ear muffs

• 3M Push to Listen Ear muffs

• To be used for conersion while working without opening the muffs

• Have an electronic circuit which allows for the mic to be activated

• Can be attached to the helmets


3M Safety & Graphics Business Group Communication Solutions

Headsets with J11 Direct lead Headsets Flex Headsets LiteCom WS Headsets Bluetooth


3M Safety & Graphics Business Group LiteCom Plus - LPD 433 MHz

� Built in two-way radio communication

� 37 channels (LPD 433 MHz)

� 121 subchannels

� Level-dependent function for ambient listening

� Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 20 hours operating time

� Voice operated transmission (VOX)

� Auto power off function

� Battery status indication

� Voice guided menu system


3M Safety & Graphics Business GroupValidation – Fit Testing of earplugs

•Qualitative Validation - 3M Super Fit ™

•Quantitative Validation 3M Ear Fit ™


3M Safety & Graphics Business Group 3M Ear Fit Validation System


3M Safety & Graphics Business GroupQuantitative Validation - What is the system?

� A quick and accurate method of obtaining in-ear attenuation for a given fitting of a pair

of earplugs

� Designed and built to be an integral part of a comprehensive workplace hearing

conservation program.

� It may be used for basic program auditing, follow-up evaluation of standard threshold-

shifts, full training and evaluation etc.



You only have two ears !PROTECT IT or LOOSE IT



ANY QUESTIONS?

3m safety & graphics business group advancements in ... 6/vina… · what is an audiometric...

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