Hearing is one of our most important assets. Damage to hearing can be instantaneous or more commonly occurs progressively over a prolonged period of time with exposure to high noise levels. Noise seems to be ever encroaching and earplugs can be used not only for work but for rest and relaxation or whilst travelling. They are particularily useful on planes & trains and in hotel rooms, camp sites and on the beach. At work the law is getting tougher on hearing protection and its provision. The employee and the employer are under new obligations. Everyone can take 3 easy steps: - Employ simple techniques to manage and monitor your own listening level and understand the merits of using different headsets and microphones. Just as you would if it were part of your own PPE. Simple ear and microphone techniques plus equipment familiarisation can help reduce operational ambient sound levels.
- Always wear the correct headphone and microphone or earplug to suit the application. Exposure is a combination of both the ambient and the reproduced sound.
- Install a Soundshield to protect against impulse sound spikes and to restrict & monitor long term near field exposure.
Monitor your work area ambient sound with a Peltor Optime Dose monitor or use the Keyring Soundcheck to give a spot indication of the sound level.
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