Are you or your staff exposed to high noise levels at your workplace?
It is prudent to invest in the appropriate Hearing protection equipment like earplugs to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. However, you or your crew will benefit from the protective effect of the equipment only if it is inserted correctly and maintained properly. Read on to find out the tried-and-tested tips and tricks to make most of your earplugs at work.
The Need for Earplugs at Workplace
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies noise-induced hearing loss as the most common, permanent, yet preventable injury in the world. While short-term exposure to loud noises may lead to temporary problems in hearing, prolonged and repeated exposure to loud sounds can cause permanent hearing loss.
Tinnitus is a medical condition in which a consistent noise is heard in the ear in the absence of an external source of sound. WHO identifies tinnitus as the third most serious non-fatal medical condition.
Hence, the European Union's new PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Regulation gives greater importance to the use of hearing protection in the workplace.
Choose the Right Earplugs
Before you understand how to use your protection equipment correctly, you should know which type of earplug is right for you, disposable or reusable? Disposable earplugs are for one-time use only and can be worn for a longer period of time. Whereas, reusable earplugs, as the name suggests, can be cleaned and reused repeatedly.
You should always use an earplug with higher SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio). Higher the SNR, greater is the noise reduction. For example, an SNR of 30 decibels (dB) means that the earplugs will reduce the volume of the sound you hear by almost 30 dB. That means if you are in an environment that has a noise level of 85 dB, the noise reduction of the earplugs brings down the noise level to about 55 dB. The highest SNR earplugs available at the moment have SNR ratings in the high 30s.
Now that you know, which one is the best fit for you, let's understand how to insert the earplug.
Steps to Insert Disposable Earplugs
1. Make sure your hands and earplugs are clean before use.
2. Briefly roll the plug between your fingers.
3. Reach over your head with your arm and gently pull the ear upwards, so that the ear canal is straight.
4. Insert the plugs and briefly hold them in place. If the plugs cannot be seen from the front, they are in the right position.
5. Properly dispose of the plugs after use.
Steps to Insert Reusable Earplugs
1. Inspect the earplugs first. If they are torn, bent, or excessively dirty, then replace them. Also, make sure that your hands are clean before use.
2. Hold the ends of the earplugs and place the cord behind your head.
3. Using gentle pressure, insert the earplugs into the ear canal.
4. If either of the plugs do not seem to fit properly, remove the earplug and reinsert.
5. Gently twist the earplug while slowly pulling it in an outward motion for removing.
Especially in dusty and unclean working environments, particles can easily stick to the surface of the earplugs and cause minor injuries in the ear canal if used again without cleaning. Therefore, earplugs must be cleaned by removing all contaminants before reinsertion. Some tips for cleaning the earplugs are given below.
Tips to Proper Care of Reusable Earplugs
1. Do not share your earplugs with anyone.
2. Wash the earplugs with mild soap and warm water, and let them dry.
3. Refrain from using a solvent or alcohol-based cleaners.
4. Remove all earwax from the plugs.
5. Examine the plugs for any wear and tear.
6. Replace the plugs every 2-4 weeks to ensure optimal protection.
7. When not in use, store the plugs in a way that protects them from dirt, grease, and other contaminants, preferably in their storage case.
Conclusion
Hearing conservation has become an essential part of PPE Regulations all over the world. Hearing protection equipments are mandatory in environments prone to high levels of noise pollution. If used correctly and with proper care, hearing protection equipments like earplugs will give optimum results.