Overview of Bureau of Mines hearing protection research.
Authors
Redmond-GW; Burks-JA
Source
Noise Control: Proceedings: Bureau of Mines Technology Transfer Seminars, Pittsburgh, PA, July 24, 1984, and Denver, CO, July 26, 1984. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, IC 8986, 1984 Jul; :130-141
Abstract
Hearing protective devices (HPD's) can be a useful adjunct in an overall program designed to control the noise exposure of miners. Performance data on HPD's obtained using standard laboratory measurements appear to overestimate the amount of protection from noise overexposure a working miner may receive from these devices. In order to more effectively evaluate hearing protector performance, the Bureau of Mines is investigating the basic parameters that influence the noise attenuating properties of HPD's. Initial phases of this research have focused on ear muff-type protectors. Alternative methods for the determination of total attenuation of ear muffs have been compared with the standard laboratory procedure and potential problem areas have been defined. Investigation of human physiological parameters that may affect the intrinsic noise level under a single earcup is being made to measure the absolute or baseline value that might be used as a reference level for the physical measurement of ear muff attenuation.
Keywords
Hearing conservation; Hearing protection; Mining; Mining industry; Noise protection; Ear protection; Ear protectors; Personal protection; Personal protective equipment
Document Type
IH; Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Source Name
Noise Control: Proceedings: Bureau of Mines Technology Transfer Seminars, Pittsburgh, PA, July 24, 1984, and Denver, CO, July 26, 1984
