Noise Induced Hearing Loss In Firefighters

Also on the job duties task list there are many hazardous situations firefighters are involved and faced with. Another source states, “Firefighters also may come in contact with poisonous, flammable, or explosive gases and chemicals that may have immediate or long-term effects to health.”(www.allthingspolitical.org online). Another way to explain this is firefighters have to look out for the dangers that may cause them to die on duty. According to another website, “Firefighting involves hazardous conditions and long irregular hours.”(www.bls.org online). Obviously, this career is dangerous and has longer hours than usual jobs. As one website says, “Fire stations usually have features in common with a residential facility like a dormitory.”(www.allthingspolitcal.org online). In other words, fire stations serve as a secondary home for the firefighters. Experts say, “When an alarm sounds, fire fighters respond rapidly, regardless of the weather of hour.”(www.allthingspolitcal.org online). In other words, no matter the weather or time of day fire fighters are required to respond to the event as soon as possible. Another source states, “Firefighting involves the risk of death or injury

This happens in two ways: listening at too high of a volume, or listening for too long. Studies have confirmed the obvious fact that “the louder the noise and the longer you’re hearing it, the greater the risk of hearing loss” (Siegel). This study concluded that an increasing amount of teens are suffering hearing loss and “wearing earbuds to listen to music may be to blame” (Siegel). The knowledge of loud sounds hurting the ear is well known, but not as many people are aware of the problems caused by listening to music for an extended amount of time. “Constant low-level noise might cause hearing problems, a new study in rats finds” (Cheung). Even music at a low level can damage a listener’s hearing if heard for an extended period of time, but what can losing some hearing really do to a

The condition Colin is likely to be suffering from is Presbycusis. Presbycusis is an age-related hearing loss, it is a hearing disorder that can be caused by a variety of different factors. It is usually a sensorineural hearing disorder but can be a conductive hearing loss. A conductive hearing loss is when it is caused by problems with the ear canal, ear drum, middle ear and the malleus, uncus and stapes this can result in reduced function of the tympanic membrane or reduced function of auditory ossicles. Most commonly it is as a result of changes within the inner ear, middle ear or the nerve pathways to the brain. The cochlea is lined with tiny hair cells; these hairs convert sound vibrations into electrical signals which are received at the brain by a nerve. These cells can become damaged over time this means electrical signals cannot be transmitted as effectively so hearing becomes affected. Long-term exposure to loud noises such as that from traffic and loud equipment which Colin would have been exposed to working as a mechanic can also be a cause of

Shifts in hearing thresholds can result in excessive exposure to any kind of sound. It not matters whether the sound is pleasant or not nor the music genre, the degree of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) depends on the intensity and frequency characteristics of the noise, along with its duration and the intermittency of the exposure. Individual genetic and environmental factors also play important part(Bovo, Ciorba, & Martini, 2007).

Noise is one of the most widespread causes of hearing loss, and the most likely causes of occupational illnesses in the United States (Leigh 728). Acute or prolonged exposure to high-level, impulsive noise is an ongoing problem for the military and defense forces all over the world (Sliwinska-Kowalska and Adrian Davis 274). One shot from a big caliber firearm, perceived at a close range, may permanently or temporarily damage an individual hearing in an instant. Additionally, repeated exposures to noisy machinery may, over an extensive period of time, impose serious risks to human hearing. According to the report released by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD); ten million Americans have already suffered permanent hearing damage from noise and thirty to fifty million individuals are exposed to hazardous noise levels every day (Leigh 728). Many hearing illness in the police service originate from the noise caused by gunshots. As a result of increased cased of hearing problem, mainly in the police service, many scholars have engaged in research in order to get appropriate mean to control these problem. Considering the increasing investigation from military groups for vital information on how to protect from impulse noise, it is vital to explore health effects associated with impulse noise from gunshots. This study explores the effects on hearing caused by

* Difficulty hearing sounds which can be a safety concern (unable to hear sirens or alarms)

Program directors’ decision to only test frequencies at 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, while excluding 6000 Hz, will inevitably miss students with a hearing loss in higher frequencies. Assessing the efficacy of the hearing screening program led researchers to make recommendations for other universities to implement. Examples include, advocating the importance of follow-up to students to improve return rates, and having proper sound treatment to enhance screening results. Finally, adding 6000 Hz into the screening program may help to accurately identify students with early signs of high frequency hearing loss. In conclusion, the study was useful in acknowledging weaknesses such as assessing the low follow-up rates, noticing high levels of noise, and examining the impact on results when hearing screening programs choose to omit 6000 Hz. Recognizing the limitations of the hearing screening program allows for given recommendations to strengthen the efficacy of existing hearing screening

First I will explain how hearing loss works, So it may be no surprise that loud sounds can damage hearing, but what actually happens is that the pain is caused by damage to the nerves in your ear. For example, if you hear something really loud close to your ear the nerves get hit by a huge wave of sound that can damage your hearing. Furthermore, there is the question

The ACGIH threshold limit values (TLVs) refer to sound pressure levels and durations of exposure that represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse effect on their ability to hear and understand normal speech. According to the ACGIH, TLVs should be used as guides and not regarded as fine lines between safe and dangerous levels. The TLVs should protect the median of the population against a noise-induced hearing loss exceeding 2 dB after 40 years of occupational exposure.

An annually evaluated program for hearing loss prevention is necessary to ensure their effectiveness. The program should include the following elements, training/education, the involvement of management, noise measurement, engineering and administrative controls, monitoring and record keeping, referrals, hearing protection devices, and administration. (Goetsh, 2011) The use of administration skills controls is necessary to ensure that the program is up to date and meets the demands for a safety-working environment. It is important to make sure that the plan is current with federal and state regulations and notify the staff of any changes made to the program due to the updated regulations. In addition, provide written policy manuals that include

Inability to dissipate the heat is detrimental to the fire-fighter’s health and can result in heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke and may contribute towards sudden cardiac events.

It has been proven that excessive exposure to a noisy environment can result in permanent hearing damage. The noise could be a result of a variety of environments such as at air shows, concerts, work, home or play. If you work in a noisy environment, you are being exposed every day for many hours! Just because your ears might not be hurting or ringing when you leave the noisy environment, there is still a negative impact on your ears due to the constant noise and its impact is cumulative.

Informs employers of the wide range of accommodations available for the hearing-impaired worker and their application in the workplace as they relate to emergency

People usually don't think of workers compensation for small injuries or illnesses, but they are usually covered. Years of working for a company that operates in a noisy manner, such as a factory or construction site, can cause hearing loss. Even if it is minor hearing loss, you may still be eligible for benefits. These benefits may pay you directly or pay for the cost of your hearing device, depending on your situation.

A hearing protection device (HPD) is often used as a protective measure in a workplace environment when the sound levels of that environment cannot be decreased and such levels pose a threat to the hearing of workers. An HPD is a safety device worn by individual’s to protect his or her hearing from the harmful effects of sound (Berger, 2003). A variety of occupational environments are known to produce high levels of noise, including factories and military operations. Individuals employed in these professions may be required to wear HPDs to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. However, certain situations in these work environments require the listener to also be able to hear low-level sounds for safety reasons.