{"id":254,"date":"2021-01-21T18:10:21","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T00:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/warriorhearing.fm1.dev\/hearing-loss-overview\/occupational-hearing-conservation\/"},"modified":"2022-03-23T16:39:41","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T21:39:41","slug":"occupational-hearing-conservation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/warriorhearing.com\/hearing-loss\/occupational-hearing-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearing Conservation Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Hearing conservation programs are designed to prevent occupational noise induced hearing loss in the workplace. If you are an employee or employer in an environment with noise levels reaching an average of 85 decibels or greater over an eight-hour period, the employer is required by OSHA to offer a hearing conservation program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Decibels (dB) are used to measure sound intensity. The higher the decibel level, the louder the noise. Sounds that exceed 85 dB can cause permanent hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing conservation programs serve several functions. In addition to preventing hearing loss on the jobsite, they preserve and protect remaining hearing and provide the employee with the knowledge and tools needed to protect himself from hearing loss. Employers must monitor noise levels, provide free annual hearing exams and training sessions, offer hearing protection equipment and maintain accurate records evaluating the efficiency of the hearing protectors in use. Research shows businesses with effective hearing conservation programs have higher levels of productivity and lower rates of absenteeism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n