A Prototyping Model of Intelligent Hearing Protection Device

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lim Ming Han ◽  
Zaiton Haron ◽  
Zanariah Jahya ◽  
Nadirah Darus ◽  
Mohamad Fauzi Abdul Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Electronic Device ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Protection Device ◽  
Technical Procedure ◽  
Hearing Protectors ◽  
Noise Data ◽  
Exposure Problem ◽  
Procedure Development

The occupational noise exposure problem is getting serious and the workers have low self-efficacy in using the hearing protectors during the working period. In this paper, it reveals a prototyping model, namely, Intelligent Hearing Protection Device (IHPD) as a new hearing technology to cope with current problems. This device could measure the noise level in the workplace, detect the regularity of worker in the usage of IHPD and indicate the high noise area. Meanwhile, the IHPD is required to connect with the Dosiwatch and the Integrated Noise Exposure Software (INES) to improve its functionalities. The Dosiwatch is an electronic device to display the noise level and indicate the risky area, where it helps the workers to perceive the risk of noise in a workplace. The INES receives the noise data wirelessly, plots the instantaneous noise charts and supervises the regularity of workers in using the IHPD. By the way, the technical procedure development and the typical function of electronic gadgets are significant in this invention. A prototyping model was developed to ensure the technical procedure development meets the conceptual design of IHPD, dosiwatch and INES.

scholarly journals Workers of the hospital maintenance sector: protection, hearing symptoms and noise exposure

Revista CEFAC ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-514
Author(s):  
Flávia Elisa Antunes Lemes de Oliveira Ramos ◽  
Adriana Bender Moreira de Lacerda ◽  
Evelyn Joice Albizu
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Speech Comprehension ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Hearing Protectors ◽  
Maintenance Service ◽  
Hearing Protector

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate the use of hearing protection and symptoms in hospital maintenance workers and evaluate the noise level of the machines. Methods: a cross-sectional quantitative study held with workers from a public hospital maintenance service. A questionnaire related to personal, clinical and occupational history was used. Measurement of the noise level of the machines in the sector was carried out using a sound pressure level meter. Results: 57 male workers participated, mean age of 43.28 years, among the workers, carpentry prevailed (10.53%), length of time at the job averaged 8.9 years and 9.3 daily work hours; 45.76% did not know what could be done to reduce maintenance noise; 59.65% wore hearing protectors at work, ear plug model (47.37%), and 82.45% thought that the noise was reduced when they wore the hearing protector correctly. Auditory and non-auditory signs and symptoms were denied by most workers. Noise perception in the maintenance service was medium (53%) and high (44%), evidenced noise levels of 62.0 to 101dB (A). Conclusion: the hearing protector was worn by 59.7% of the workers, the plug model was the most used (47.4%) and 75.8% reported that occupational noise decreased with the use of hearing protectors. Most workers use hearing protection and have no hearing symptoms. However, the presence of symptoms such as otalgia (8.8%), otorrhea (5.3%), dizziness (14.0%), tinnitus (17.5%) and difficulty in speech comprehension (7, 0%) should be pointed out. Noise assessment showed high levels from some maintenance machinery, representing a risk for hearing. The sectors of the woodwork and metalwork were the noisiest.

scholarly journals The occupational effects of unconventional (custom-made) hearing protection for platinum mine workers

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Steenkamp
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Priority List ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Hearing Protectors ◽  
Mine Workers

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is on the priority list of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Hearing loss due to industrial noise exposure is the most prevalent industrial disease. Noise (above 85 dB) is not only a physical hazard, but also a psychological hazard that may create or exacerbate ergonomic or mechanical hazards. Conventional hearing protection devices (HPDs) are widely applied but also misused in the mining sector. In this investigation ownership and general attitudes were measured by determining how unconventional hearing protectors (custom-made hearing protectors) (CHPDs) is experienced by the mine- workers. The results could indicate whether these protectors, which is perceived by management to be costly, sophisticated and difficult to implement on a large scale, are a viable alternative to conventional hearing protectors. The results indicated certain positive directions in terms of quality hearing conservation and confirmed that CHPDs (with its unique features) do not only protect hearing but has several other occupational benefits. Opsomming Geraasdoofheid is op die prioriteitslys van die Wêreld Gesondheidsorganisasie (WHO). Gehoorverlies wat deur industriële geraasblootstelling veroorsaak word, word as die mees prominente beroepgesondheidsiekte beskou. Geraas (bo 85 dB) is nie net ’n fisiese risiko nie, maar hou ook ook psigologiese gevare in, wat ander meganiese en ergonomiese risiko’s kan veroorsaak of vererger. Konvensionele geraasdempers word op grootskaal in die mynsektor gebruik, maar ook wanaangewend. In hierdie ondersoek is eienaarskap en die algemene gesindhede van gebruikers gemeet deur te bepaal hoe onkonvensionele gehoorbeskermers (doelgemaakte gehoorbeskermers) deur die mynwerkers self ervaar word. Die resultate kan as ‘n aanduiding dien of hierdie beskermers, wat dikwels deur bestuur as duur, gesofistikeerd en moeilik op ‘n grootskaal implementeerbaar is, as ’n lewensvatbare alternatief tot konvensionele gehoorbeskermers oorweeg moet word. Die resultate toon sekere positiewe aspekte ten opsigte van gehalte gehoorkonservering en het bevestig dat doelgemaakte gehoorbeskermers (met hul unieke eienskappe) nie slegs gehoor beskerm nie, maar verskeie ander beroepsverwante voordele inhou.

Over-the-Ear Industrial Hearing Protectors: An Assessment of Comfort Issues

1986 ◽  
Vol 30 (14) ◽  
pp. 1428-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Casali ◽  
Siu T. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Statistical Analyses ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Protection Device ◽  
Device Design ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Hearing Protectors ◽  
Ranking Procedures ◽  
Protection Devices

A self-report methodology was developed for evaluating perceived comfort and related wearability issues among non-earplug hearing protection devices. Rating scale and ranking procedures were completed by fifty subjects after wearing four different noise-attenuating earmuffs and two ear canal caps. The methodology reliably distinguished among different earmuff types and earcaps on a variety of comfort-related measures, as determined by non-parametric statistical analyses. In general, over-the-pinna muffs were found to be more comfortable than over-the-ear canal earcaps, and some muff designs were preferable to others. The earmuffs were also ranked as easier to don than earcaps. It is critical that comfort be a prime consideration in hearing protection device design because it greatly influences the amount of time the device will be worn in the workplace.

Fit testing of a hearing protection device with integrated in-ear noise exposure monitoring

2018 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
pp. 1910-1910
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Smalt ◽  
Shakti K. Davis ◽  
William J. Murphy ◽  
Chucri A. Kardous ◽  
Joe Lacirignola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Protection Device ◽  
Exposure Monitoring ◽  
Fit Testing

scholarly journals Method for protected noise exposure level assessment under an in-ear hearing protection device: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69
Author(s):  
Vincent Nadon ◽  
Fabien Bonnet ◽  
Rachel E. Bouserhal ◽  
Antoine Bernier ◽  
Jérémie Voix
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
Protection Device

scholarly journals Effect of Using Hearing Protection and Earphone on Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in Workshop’s Workers

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Putri Berliana Syah
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Noise Level ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Health Effect ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Workplace Noise

Noise exposure can leads to health effect such as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus. Besides workplace, noise can be obtained from using earphones. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of using hearing protection and earphone on NIHL and tinnitus in workers at PT DPS machine workshop. This was a cross sectional with observational analytic study design. This study was conducted in 37 workers at PT DPS machine workshop exposed to noise by using simple random sampling. Results showed that noise level in workplace was 88,57 dBA (8 hours TWA) which exceed TLV 85 dBA. Prevalence of NIHL and tinnitus in workplace was respectively 21.6% and 54%. NIHL affected by using hearing protection and earphone (MLR, p < 0.01; p < 0.05 respectively) and tinnitus affected by using earphone (MLR, p < 0.01) after controlled by working period. It can be concluded that prevalence of NIHL and tinitus are relatively high, NIHL affected by using hearing protection and earphone while tinnitus affected by using earphone. It is recommended for workers to use hearing protection in noise workplace and to reduce using earphone while PT DPS must provide hearing protection and do briefi ng to increase workers’ awareness about using hearing protection.

Noise Exposure and Hearing Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Byrne ◽  
Thais C. Morata
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Disorders ◽  
Industrial Noise ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Protection Devices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Occupational Hearing Loss

Exposure to industrial noise and the resulting effect of occupational hearing loss is a common problem in nearly all industries. This chapter describes industrial noise exposure, its assessment, and hearing disorders that result from overexposure to noise. Beginning with the properties of sound, noise-induced hearing loss and other effects of noise exposure are discussed. The impact of hearing disorders and the influence of other factors on hearing loss are described. Typically, noise-induced hearing loss develops slowly, and usually goes unnoticed until a significant impairment has occurred. Fortunately, occupational hearing loss is nearly always preventable. Therefore, this chapter gives particular attention to recommendations for measures to prevent occupational hearing loss such as engineering noise controls and hearing protection devices.

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