
Topic: Evaluating
Hearing Protectors
Attenuation
of hearing protectors is measured in the laboratory and ultimately used to
derive the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). But in the real world, those
rated attenuations become meaningless --- how well an earplug protects hearing
is literally in the hands of the worker. Field studies indicate
real-world attenuation in the workplace is often quite different from the
laboratory NRR. Recent developments in field verification systems help
to bridge the gap from lab to workplace, and a variety of methods are now available
to estimate – and in some cases measure – the field attenuation of protectors.
The presentation will include a demonstration of field verification
systems, and will review some of the alternatives to the NRR being considered
or used internationally.
Brad Witt is Director of Hearing
Conservation at Sperian Hearing Protection in
Time:
Place: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Room 6001 (6th
floor)
Wilshire
and Sawtelle Boulevards (near 405 freeway)
Parking
in front of Medical Center
