Enabling Hearing Protection in Mines Using Ear Muffs
A research report on mining hearing loss released by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, USA reveals that “Mining has the highest prevalence of hazardous noise exposure of any major industry sector (Tak, Davis, and Calvert 2009) and mining is second only to the railroad industry in prevalence of workers reporting hearing difficulty (Tak and Calvert 2008)”.
A major cause of concern regarding hearing difficulty is that it is permanent and life altering. The report also states that “Besides hearing loss, noise-exposed workers are more likely to experience speech interference, disturbed sleep interference, excess stress, tinnitus, and decreased work performance (Kryter 1994)”.
Mining areas are expected to implement noise control mechanisms to prevent hearing loss among miners. Apart from engineering controls miners can be protected from permanent hearing difficulty using advanced hearing protection aids.
Although NIOSH mining hearing loss program (2004) insists on improvement of reliability of communication in noisy workplace, it is the responsibility of the mine owners or supervisors to ensure that the hearing protection aids are worn during work time. Due to increased awareness of these problems, mine workers are now provided with devices that help them to stay protected in extreme noise environments.
Traditionally, workers had to wear double protection aids that prevented them from enjoying clear communication or be aware of their surroundings. Technology enabled ear muffs are now developed to overcome hearing problems of mine workers with which, they can communicate, stay protected and maintain their situational awareness in extreme noise environments.
Some hi-tech ear muffs enable users to communicate via two-way radio and are Bluetooth enabled as well.
They aid in communication up to distances of 50 meters in extreme noise environments (up to 120dB) whilst providing double hearing protection.
Latest technology advancements in ear muff arena aids in speech enhancement and noise suppression. This technology isolates and enhances speech whilst suppressing dangerous background noise. By doing so, background noise is lowered to a safe level while retaining the natural qualities of the sound so the user retains awareness of their surroundings.
Ear muffs are now designed to hear the direction of speech and other sounds
Design enhancements have even enabled ear muffs to be interfaced with MP3 and adjustable headband. Extra soft ear cushions for longwearing comfort are also included in some brands.
Hearing protection muffs have simple buttons for tactile adjustment without having to look or remove earmuffs – which come in handy when miners are involved in heavy work.
To prevent hazardous noise from causing hearing loss in the mining industry ear muffs can be effectively used to reduce noise at the source and enable clear two way communication. While continual U.S. Bureau of Mines and NIOSH research programs are trying to implement engineering controls at the work place, mine owners can opt for these simple hearing protection earmuffs to overcome hearing problems in a timely manner.
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