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A Field Investigation of Noise Reduction Afforded by Insert-Type Hearing Protectors.

PB299319

Publication Date	1978
Personal Author	Edwards, R. G.; Hauser, W. P.; Moiseev, N. A.; Broderson, A. B.; Green, W. W.
Page Count	54
Abstract	The report describes the effectiveness of insert-type hearing protectors (earplugs) as determined by Real-Ear noise attenuation of earplugs. A total of 840 attenuation measurements were made among 168 workers. The association between the amount of earplug noise attenuation received by workers and earplug design, company policy on earplug use, physical activity of the workers, workplace noise levels, and the effect of numerical test sequence is discussed. Workers received noise protection ranging from a minimum of about 6dB at 125 Hz to a maximum of about 20 dB at 3150 Hz. Comparison of these results to laboratory and manufacturers data indicated that half of the workers tested were afforded less than one-third of the potential noise reduction. Additional tests demonstrated that reduced protection did not depend significantly on intensity of workplace noise level, earplug design, or company policy regarding earplug use. It is suggested that earplugs of other designs be tested and that a study be conducted to determine how workers can improve the degree of protection afforded by the earplugs they use.
Keywords	Protectors Auditory perception Ear protectors Noise(Sound) Effectiveness Reduction Personnel Industrial medicine Protection Occupational safety and health
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	95 - Biomedical Technology & Human Factors Engineering 57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine
Corporate Authors	Watkins and Associates, Inc., Lexington, KY.; Kentucky Univ., Lexington. Medical Center.; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH. Div.
Supplemental Notes	Prepared in cooperation with Kentucky Univ., Lexington. Medical Center.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Technical rept.
NTIS Issue Number	197925
Contract Number	DL-210-76-0139

A Field Investigation of Noise Reduction Afforded by Insert-Type Hearing Protectors.

A Field Investigation of Noise Reduction Afforded by Insert-Type Hearing Protectors.
PB299319

Publication Date	1978
Personal Author	Edwards, R. G.; Hauser, W. P.; Moiseev, N. A.; Broderson, A. B.; Green, W. W.
Page Count	54
Abstract	The report describes the effectiveness of insert-type hearing protectors (earplugs) as determined by Real-Ear noise attenuation of earplugs. A total of 840 attenuation measurements were made among 168 workers. The association between the amount of earplug noise attenuation received by workers and earplug design, company policy on earplug use, physical activity of the workers, workplace noise levels, and the effect of numerical test sequence is discussed. Workers received noise protection ranging from a minimum of about 6dB at 125 Hz to a maximum of about 20 dB at 3150 Hz. Comparison of these results to laboratory and manufacturers data indicated that half of the workers tested were afforded less than one-third of the potential noise reduction. Additional tests demonstrated that reduced protection did not depend significantly on intensity of workplace noise level, earplug design, or company policy regarding earplug use. It is suggested that earplugs of other designs be tested and that a study be conducted to determine how workers can improve the degree of protection afforded by the earplugs they use.
Keywords	Protectors Auditory perception Ear protectors Noise(Sound) Effectiveness Reduction Personnel Industrial medicine Protection Occupational safety and health
Source Agency	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NTIS Subject Category	95 - Biomedical Technology & Human Factors Engineering 57U - Public Health & Industrial Medicine
Corporate Authors	Watkins and Associates, Inc., Lexington, KY.; Kentucky Univ., Lexington. Medical Center.; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH. Div.
Supplemental Notes	Prepared in cooperation with Kentucky Univ., Lexington. Medical Center.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Technical rept.
NTIS Issue Number	197925
Contract Number	DL-210-76-0139