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By Becky Sherek, RN/EMT-Northern Health and Fitness Plus
Noise induced hearing and inner ear damage to firefighters (and to emergency service
workers) has been documented for many years. Firefighting has many scenarios that
involve high levels of noise exposure including sirens, diesel engines, air horns, power
saws, and power ventilators. This occupational damage is commonly manifested by
hearing loss that gets worse with the passing of time for the individual. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Fire Administration
(USFA) with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has produced a
document entitled, “Fire & Emergency Service Hearing Conservation Program Manual”.
This document recognizes the dangers of noise induced trauma to the hearing system
and outlines a program to reduce and/or prevent the occupational noise induced
damage associated with the above mentioned sources.
Firefighters and other emergency personnel are often exposed to decibels well over
100(acceptable noise level is not to exceed 90 decibels for an 8-hour period). The
action level is 85 decibels, which is the level where a hearing conservation program
must be offered to employees. A rule of thumb is that if you have to shout to talk to a
coworker to be heard 3 feet away by a person with normal hearing, then regular
exposure to the noise will be potentially damaging to your hearing. Continued exposure
to more than 85 decibels of noise may cause gradual but permanent damage to
hearing. Hearing loss is accelerated by louder noises. Noise can also hamper job
performance, increase fatigue, and cause irritability.
Many people do not become aware of their hearing loss until it is too late to avoid
permanent damage. Northern Health & Fitness Plus can help your department institute
a hearing protection program by providing audiometric screening to your employees. A
successful hearing protection program benefits both the employee and the employer.
Employees are spared disabling hearing loss and may experience less fatigue and
better health in general. Employers benefit from reduced medical expenses and worker
compensation costs.
Fire department officials who are concerned about possible hearing loss and instituting
a hearing protection program are encouraged to call Northern Health & Fitness Plus at
(218) 744-2133.