Hearing Awareness Week Brings Attention to Noise Control
Article by Carmen Fontana
In August 2009, the DEAFNESS Forum launched Hearing Awareness Week. SafeToWork.com reported that the weeklong celebration “puts noise management on sonar.” In Australia, where the event was conceived, one in six citizens suffers from some form of hearing loss.
According to the Government of Western Australia, “Many [individuals] are frequently exposed for a long period of time to noise levels exceeding 85 dB(A), which is the level where noise control measures should be taken.”
What are some of the noise sources that exceed 85 dBA? IndustrialAcoustics.com lists the following:
Medium size automatic printing press plant at 86 dBABulldozer at 50 ft (15.2 m) at 87 dBAJackhammer at 50 ft (15.2 m) at 88 dBAHeavy city traffic at 90 dBAHeavy diesel propelled vehicle at 25 ft (7.6 m) at 92 dBASmall air compressor at 94 dBAHome lawn mower at 98 dBABanging of steel plate at 104 dBAHi-pressure gas leak at 106 dBALarge air compressor at 108 dBAJet aircraft at 500 ft (152 m) overhead at 115 dBAInside jet engine test cell at 150 dBA
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders explains that noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can be caused by long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels. “The louder the sound, the time period before NIHL can occur.” Common “sources of noise that can cause NIHL include motorcycles, firecrackers and small firearms, all emitting sounds from 120 to 150 decibels.”
In the U.S., “approximately 15 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69-or 26 million Americans-have high frequency hearing loss that may have been caused by exposure to loud sounds or noise at work or in leisure activities.” The good news is, noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. Enter Hearing Awareness Week.
“Noise at work and at home, its effects on hearing, how hearing loss is measured and what solutions are to both prevention and dealing with loss that has already occurred” were the underpinnings of this celebratory week. Events held in honor of Hearing Awareness Week included engineering noise control.
Producers of custom-molded rubber and rubber-to-metal bonded parts for noise and vibration control play an important role in that engineering. Their fail-safe compression, cylindrical, stainless steel, continuous strips, insulator pads, low frequency ring mounts, square mounts, conical, bumpers and feet, center bonded, flex, torsional, flange, plate mounts, grommets and tapered plugs reduce vibration and noise, and therefore the decibels, emitted by the machinery and equipment people are exposed to every day. For example, the Vibro-Insulator line of 18″ square molded pads can be used to effectively control noise and vibration, particularly in applications involving heavy machinery and equipment. Available in both single and double sided ribbed construction, they can be easily cut to any desired shape and can be used in multiple layers to increase deflection. Similarly, the K69 series of fail-safe compression mounts can be used in shear, tension and compression applications and are suited for low mounting applications.
About the Author
Carmen Fontana is a Web Services Manager for Western Reserve Internet Services. Karman Rubber is a leading producer of custom rubber molding and noise control products.
