Document 44Jkg203QeKpQq5bxVjzk60qe

Industrial Hygiene Digest June, 1957 771 Occupational Hearing Loss. Occ. Health Bull. J5, No. 1. 4 pp. (1957). Bureau o( Adult and. Occupational Health, New Jersey State Department of Health, Trenton, N. J. The fundamentals of hearing conservation programs are presented briefly, including: (actors influencing loss ot hearing, major objectives o( a hearing conservation program, noise level studies, pre-placement examinations, (actors to be considered in audiometric tests, periodic rechecks, and ear protectors. Noise reduction is considered very briefly, but full discussion will be presented in a future bulletin. 772 Legal Aspects of the Hearing Loss Problems. N. S. Symons. Noise Control 3, 49-56 (Mar. 1957). The very complex problem of occupational loss of hearing in relation to work men's compensation is discussed extensively. There is at present no single magic answer to the industrial noise problem on a scientific or any other level. It can be solved in each state only by patience, cooperation, and willingness to approach the problem objectively. Compensation for hearing loss Involves such questions as: (1) what noise levels are injur ious; (2) what is the proper method of determining occupational hearing loss as distinguished from other causes including aging; (3) what hearing losses are disabling and what criteria should be used In defining disability; (4) what will be the effect if departure from the wageloss principle is sanctioned by granting awards for noneconomic, physiologic, or social losses; and (5) how the grave problem of accrued liability can be handled. Problems that occur In estimation of hearing loss are discussed. Including: (1) elimination of minor losses; (2) choice of frequencies; (3) presbycusis deductions; (4) binaural method of computing per centage loss; and (5) use of best ot several audiograms. The compensation laws of New York and Wisconsin are discussed, and laws of other states are considered briefly. In attempting to solve the hearing loss problem, the following considerations should be kept in mind: (1) The humanitarian problem of prevention and elimination of the hazard should be continually stressed; (2) The economic approach to the problem should be conserva tive; (3) The problem should be studied from a long range viewpoint and the various income protection programs should be Integrated; (4) The approach should be neither pretentious nor opinionated; (5) The problem should be simplified; and (6) The problem presents a unique opportunity for cooperation among all groups concerned. 773 Problems ot Industry in a State with Hearing Loss Compensation Laws. R. A. Ewens. Noise Control 3, 57, 58, (Mar. 1957). The history ot compensation for hearing loss in Wisconsin Is reviewed, with special attention to the work of the advisory committee, which has been functioning for 30 years and consists of representatives from Industry, labor, and insurance companies. The recommendations of this committee have been largely Incorporated in the present law, Features of this law are discussed. The Wisconsin Manufacturers' Association has been advocating the use of audiometer tests in pre-employment physical examinations, but so far the campaign has not been successful. The problem finally resolves itself to a question of legislative action, and an educational program directed to legislative bodies should lead to such action. 774 Acoustical Engineering Principles (or Noise Reduction. W. M. Rees, btoise Control i, 59, 60, 84 (Mar. 1957). The haphazard application of acoustic engineering principles to noise problems may produce unexpected and often undeslred results. The author outlines methods for obtaining the maximum effectiveness from each engineering technique used. The general types of control are: control ot noise at its source; control of structure-borne sound; and control ot airborne sound. No one of these controls may be the full answer to a specific problem; all three may be required. The steps in noise control are thus summarized: (1) Determine the real reason (or the noise problem; who is the objector who must be satisfied? (2) Determine what it takes to satisfy him and how he will judge the results; (3) Consider the noise source and how you can reduce it; (4) Look (or ways to isolate or '.segregate it; and (S) Reduce the annoyance factor and the general noise level by reverber ation control with acoustical treatment. 11 206 1046