Did You Know? Sound Advice: Protect Your How Long Is Too Long? What's That Ringing? It's not just your parent or Ears from Damaging your grandparent whose Exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dB) The red bar below shows how long it takes for Have you ever driven an open cab tractor for may be slipping. can cause permanent . a particular sound level to become dangerous to several hours or gone to a loud concert, then A 25-year-old farmer the human ear. For example, a chain saw has a heard a ringing in your ears for the next hour or two? How would you feel if that ringing can have the ears of a It can even result from a single nearby sound intensity of about 109 dB. Without proper never went away? 50-year-old and not even shotgun blast, dynamite blast or other very hearing protection, running a chain saw for only know it! loud noise. 2 minutes can cause hearing loss! min That's what happens to many people exposed to loud noise. Nothing can restore lost hearing. Too Loud <1 85 min Once it’s gone, it’s gone! It only takes...<2 That ringing in the ears is called tinnitus, and Gunshot min while many people hear ringing, some hear <4 BUT hearing loss caused by noise is 112 dB hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping or clicking preventable — and you can choose to Firecrackers sounds. may show up before you even prevent it. 109 dB notice much hearing loss. Grain dryer 7.5 min 106 dB Noise-induced hearing loss can result from Chain saw 103 dB 15 min working around farm noise - even hand Rock band drills - without hearing protection. 100 dB 30 min Circular saw If you're exposed to loud noise on the farm Squealing pigs 97 dB 1 hour Tractor, in shop(idling - 6’ away) you may already be losing your hearing. 94 dB 2 hours “My little girl doesn't Hand drill 91 dB understand why I can't Hearing protection can increase 4 hours hear what she is Combine(full throttle - 10’ away) 88 dB your ability to hear your equipment or whispering in my ear. others' voices because it cuts down on the Table saw 85 dB 8 hours She says…‘Mommy hears background noise. Some have Tractor, without cab me when I whisper’.” amplification circuits that may help even hearing impaired workers communicate Combine(full throttle - in cab) better in noisy backgrounds. Tractor, enclosed cab

You can buy protective earmuffs with Normal conversation built-in radios that allow you to listen 0 25 50 7585 100 125 150 safely to your favorite sports or music dB If you know someone with hearing loss, you know that conversation can be frustrating for while working. They make nice gifts. A "decibel" is the unit used to measure the loudness of sound. both of you. “I thought if I lost my Decibel levels for each item shown in the graph may vary. hearing, it would be People have found that protecting A good hearing aid can help, because it amplifies quiet. But that themselves from noise reduces their constant ringing stress, anxiety and fatigue at the end the sound. However it does not make sound clearer the way glasses make your vision sharp. keeps me awake of the day. If you need to raise your voice to be heard at night and I can't an arm’s length away, the noise is probably Hearing aids do not correct hearing hear my friends very The best way to avoid hearing loss is to loud enough to damage your hearing. the way glasses correct vision. well on my cell phone.” reduce your exposure by using quieter equipment or staying away from noise. Hearing Protection Resources How Can I Protect My Hearing?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute You don’t have to have the hearing of a for Occupational Safety and Health, Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention Resources include this brochure at: 50 year old by the time you’re 25. It’s They’re your ears www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise up to you to protect your hearing! Formable Earplugs Premolded Earplugs

National Hearing Conservation Association: Identify noisy tasks around your farm and www.hearingconservation.org shop that may be harmful to your hearing. Protect them

National Agricultural Safety Database Wear hearing protection Hearing Conservation: www.cdc.gov/nasd/menu/topic/hearing.html at all times whenever you are exposed to loud noise. National Institutes of Health WISE EARS! Campaign Canal Caps Earmuffs Resources: www.nidcd.nih/gov/health/wise/index.asp Make hearing protection convenient . Stash earplugs in your pockets every morning when Dangerous Decibels: www.dangerousdecibels.org you grab your cell phone and keys. Hang University of Kentucky Agricultural Disability Awareness and canal caps or muffs on your tractor steering Risk Education (AgDARE) NIHL Resources: wheel, combine and lawn mower. www.mc.uky.edu/scahip/projects/agdare-2.htm

American Tinnitus Association: www.ata.org Reduce equipment noise by replacing worn, loose or unbalanced machine parts. Keep Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers equipment well lubricated and maintained. (a non-profit group that educates young people about the If you have been meaning to replace that loud There are hundreds of different styles of hearing dangers of exposure to ): www.hearnet.com protectors to choose from today. Everyone can tractor muffler, do it now. find one that is convenient, easy to use, Hearing Loss Caused Acknowledgments: comfortable and fits his or her budget. Writer/Editor: Barbara Mulhern, Agricultural Journalist Limit your exposure to loud noise. Stay Document Advisory Group: Thomas Bean, The Ohio State University “Hunter's” or “shooter's” muffs may work well by Farm Noise is and NIOSH Great Lakes Center for Agricultural Safety and Health; away from noisy equipment if you don’t for you. Hearing protectors are available on the Deborah Reed, University of Kentucky; Sam Steel, Pennsylvania Preventable State University need to be near it. Keep cab doors and internet and in local home improvement and windows closed. farm stores. For additional copies, questions, or comments related to this brochure, e-mail [email protected] Have your hearing tested by a health care Only trust your ears to products designed as hearing protectors. Cotton balls and other make To receive other NIOSH documents or for more information about provider if you or someone else suspects occupational safety and health topics, contact: a problem. Your family or friends may be the shift protectors can let noise pass right through. 1–800–CDC–INFO(1–800–232–4636) first to notice that your hearing is slipping. TTY: 1–888–232–6348 E-mail: [email protected] “Getting used to wearing my earplugs was or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh. en away from Keep childr like getting used to my favorite boots noisy areas and equipment. For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to even after getting a good fit, NIOSH eNewsby visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews. it still took a little time .”

DHHS – (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007–175 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES The best protectors are the ones Centers for Disease Control and Prevention you will wear all the time you are National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health around loud noise. TM Fitting Formable Fitting Premolded Fitting Canal Caps Plugs Plugs Canal caps are formable or premolded Size Matters To fit properly, a formable plug Remember, the plug must be rolled down earplugs attached to a headband. should be inserted so that most of the plug fits tightly before you try to insert it into your ear Depending on the design, headbands into the ear canal. While many formable plugs canal. You shouldn’t try to push a formable may be worn over the head, behind the are “one size fits most,” different sizes are plug into your ear if you have not rolled it neck or under the chin. The headband allows canal available. If you can’t get at least half of the tight enough. caps to be hung around the neck when not being plug into the ear canal, or if the plug can’t used. This makes them convenient to use when expand enough to stay firmly seated, you need Correct Incorrect noise is not constant and you are taking your a different size. This plug completely This plug is too large or has not seals the ear canal been fully inserted, leaving gaps earplugs in and out frequently. Fitting and using opening. where noise can leak through. canal caps is otherwise similar to fitting and using formable and premolded plugs. ROLLthe formable plug Premolded plugs may come in different sizes or as “one size fits most.” Try out different sizes to find 1 between your thumb and Correct Incorrect forefinger(s) to compress it the ear plug that fits you best. Tips on Using into a small, smooth, round This plug needed REACHover top of your head and pull up cylinder. to be rolled down Hearing Protection more tightly. 1 or back on the top of your ear. This straightens out your ear canal so the plugs REACH over top of your head and pull can go in far enough. When an earplug is properly inserted your 2 up or back on the top of your ear. This voice will sound deeper or louder. straightens out your ear canal so the plugs can go in far enough. To check your fit, cup your hands over your ears and make a good seal. Count out loud while slowly cupping and uncupping your ears. Good fit Poor fit If you have a good fit, your voice should Ear Pull sound about the same as you cup and uncup your ears. Try this with and without plugs. INSERTpremolded plug into Hear the difference? Ear Pull When you remove the plug, check to make sure there 2 straightened ear canal. is a slight bend. (See the drawings above.) The bend Use clean hands when inserting ear plugs, means the earplug was inserted deeply enough to With a premolded plug, you can perform the especially when rolling down formable reach the bend in the ear canal. There should be “tug test.” To do this, gently pull in and out on plugs. Dirt can irritate your ears. When INSERTtightly rolled plug into no creases in the earplug. the stem of the earplug. As you do so, you should clean hands are not possible, ear muffs straightened ear canal. 3 feel pressure changes in your ear canal to confirm or premolded plugs with stems can be a Although considered disposable, formable you have a good fit. Do not pull hard enough to better option. HOLDthe ear plug in place for a few plugs can be washed and used repeatedly. break the seal. When removing an earplug, slowly 4 seconds after inserting to give it time to twist the plug to break the seal. If you expand and seat itself in the ear canal. Premolded plugs arereusable . Most can be easily pull the earplug out quickly without first washed using mild soap. Make sure they are gently breaking the airtight seal, you completely dry before storing them in their case Credits:The graphics used to illustrate fitting ear plugs were provided, courtesy of could harm your ear. Elliott Berger, Senior Scientist, Auditory Research E-A-R/Aearo Company. or using them in your ear. Using wet plugs can irritate ear canals. “I expected to lose my hearing....Buying Hearing Common Noise Have yyouou HearHeard? but I thought it would be quiet.” Protection Levels

If you are around noise at work, at home or Hearing protection is available from many Exposure to noise above 85 dB can cause Hearing Loss Caused by doing the things that you enjoy, you need to sources including on the internet and in home hearing loss and tinnitus. protect your ears. If you don't, you can expect improvement and farm stores. Farm Noise is . Too Loud to develop permanent hearing loss You may also 85 Preventable Remember, size matters! Not every earplug fits develop a permanent ringing, buzzing or Gunshot roaring in your ears known as Tinnitus. every ear. You may even need a different size for each ear. If you can’t get at least half Firecrackers of the plug into the ear canal, or if it can’t Grain dryer expand enough to stay firmly seated, you need Chain saw They’re your ears a different size. Rock band

PROTECT THEM Earmuffs may work well for you. These are Circular saw often worn during hunting and shooting. Some Squealing pigs have a built-in radio as well as electronic Tractor, in shop (idling - 6 ’ away) circuits to limit the noise. They allow you to Hand drill

listen to your favorite sports or music. Combine(full throttle - 10’ away) They are usually easy to fit and convenient to put on and take off. They can also make great Table saw gifts. However, if you wear glasses, earrings Tractor, without cab or have facial hair, ear plugs may be a better Combine (full throttle - in cab) For additional copies, questions, or comments related to this brochure, e-mail [email protected] choice to ensure proper fit and sound reduction. Tractor, enclosed cab

To receive other NIOSH documents or for more information about Normal conversation occupational safety and health topics, contact: 0 25 50 75 85100 125 150 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636) Formable dB TTY: 1–888–232–6348 A "decibel" is the unit used to measure the loudness of sound. cdcinfo@cdc .gov E-mail: Decibel levels for each item shown in the graph may vary. or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc .gov/niosh. Earmuffs For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to NIOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc .gov/niosh/eNews. Young Farmers’ Guide for DHHS –(NIOSH) Publication No. 2007–176 Premolded Selecting and Using

If you need to raise your voice to be heard Hearing Protection DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an arm’s length away, the noise is probably National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health loud enough to damage your hearing.

TM Replace your ear plugs or the seals of your ear muffs when they look worn or feel different.