Hearing loss is an often-overlooked and serious workplace hazard for many of Central Oregon’s most popular industries. In an effort to reduce hearing loss and help Central Oregon business owners meet safety and regulatory requirements, Central Oregon Audiology is offering a Hearing Conservation Program for local employers.Hearing loss is caused by prolonged exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dBA).
Employees who work in construction, factories, mills or dental offices are often at higher risk of losing their hearing. When exposed to high noise levels, temporary changes in hearing (stuffy or ringing ears) are normal, and usually disappear within a few hours after exposure. However, extended exposure can result in irreversible ringing or hearing loss.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration sets the permissible exposure limit (PEL) at an 85 dBA weighted average exposure for eight hours for most industries, and at 90 dBA for construction.
According to OSHA, one of the most effective ways to protect employers and employees from hearing loss is to implement a Hearing Conservation Program.
These programs include:
• identification of damaging noise levels;
• implementation of efforts to reduce noise levels through engineering and administrative changes;
• initial hearing tests for all employees; and
• follow up tests with recommendations to improve results.
Organizing and implementing these programs can be complicated and distracting when employers have so many other responsibilities. Central Oregon Audiology offers affordable Hearing Conservation Programs to help employers manage this important area of workplace safety.
Their team of certified (Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation) specialists and audiologists will work with your employees on site at your place of business or at one of their clinic locations. They can help determine which employees, if any, need to be enrolled, which will protect workers and save business owners money and time with unneeded testing.
Central Oregon Audiology has clinic locations in Bend and Redmond, a mobile hearing clinic and has been a part of the community for more than 23 years. The implementation of their Hearing Conservation Programs is just one example of their dedication to improving the lives of community members. 541-647-2871 www.centraloregonaudiology.com.
