Hearing Protection at Home
In line with our last post on summer safety, we want to be aware of, and protect our hearing. While it is a very common and important topic in the workplace, there are many hazards at home that can risk damaging our hearing. From doing chores and maintenance around the house to attending concerts and sporting events, being conscious of the hazards to our hearing can help reduce the risk of developing hearing loss or hearing damage (i.e.. tinnitus).
How do we measure sound?
Sound is, at work and at home, measured in decibels or dB, and are the unit of measurement for sound pressure level, or the difference between the air pressure and the pressure of a sound wave. A-weighted decibels (dBA) are the unit of measurement used to describe sound based on what human ears can hear. The lower threshold for sound is 70 dBA, and is considered safe for any period, and the sounds at or above 85 dBA have been shown to more likely cause damage to hearing over time.
Workplaces use sound meters to measure and identify areas where sound may pose a hazard. Fortunately, through research, may common household items have been measured using a sound meter and gives an insight into the risks they pose to your hearing.
Common Sources of Damaging Sound
With the impacts to leisure activities due to pandemic concerns, many of us have taken up to do some more projects and activities around the house. For those who are building or renovating, you may be exposed to noise that can risk hearing damage if you are not protected. Some examples of high noise sources can include; table saw (100 dBA), shop vacuum (98 dBA), chainsaws (118 dBA), and power tools (93 dBA).
Outside the home and popular to the summer months, sources of high noise can include; sporting events (117 dBA), rock concerts (120 dBA) and motorcycles (105 dBA).
Exposure Limits
In Canada, exposure limits are measures in the dBA level and the maximum permitted daily duration. For example, noise at 85 dBA is allowed for a maximum of 8 hours before hearing damage can be assumed to occur. As the dBA increased, the exposure time decreased. For a table saw producing 100 dBA, the daily exposure time is 15 minutes without hearing protection.
The maximum peak pressure level, or highest dB allowable in Canadian occupations, is 140 dBA, which is equivalent to the sound produced by jet engine. Noise at this level can cause immediate damage to your hearing.
See below for a quick reference guide on exposure durations for increasing dBA.
How to Protect Your Hearing
Hearing protection is the go-to solution to protect our hearing from loud noises. There several different styles of hearing protection, each with pros and cons. For most households, the two most common styles are earplugs and earmuffs.
These hazards can also apply to younger individuals as well. Whether its the kids using headphones when listening to music or helping out around the house. A great tip to help protect children’s hearing is to educate them on music/tv volume, and if they are old enough to help with outdoor chores and household maintenance, bring them with you to the hardware store and get them to pick out their hearing protection.
Take some time this summer to think about the various sources of hearing hazards and what you can do to protect your hearing.