Did You Know

• Noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable but once it is acquired hearing loss
  is permanent and irreversible. (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
  
  
• 11% of the Australia population has self reported partial or complete deafness. (Australia's Health 2004, AIHW)
  
  
• The legislated Australian Standard for the maximum acceptable occupational noise
  level recommended for an 8-hour period is 85 decibels. (Australian Standard AS/NZS 1269)
  
  
• Over protection from noise may lead to a sense of isolation in the wearer. (Australian Standard AS/NZS 1269)
  
  
• Sound level doubles every 3 decibels (i.e. 88 dB is twice as loud as 85 dB). (National Acoustics Laboratory, Australia)
  
  
• Some commonly recognized sound levels in dB are:
  10 normal breathing 30 soft whisper
  50 rainfall 60 normal conversation
  100 Jackhammer 120 thunder. (Sonomax research data)
  
  
• Removing a hearing protector briefly, while in an exposed environment. significantly
  lowers the effect of the hearing protection. (Physical Safety Manual)
  
  
• The amount of hearing a person loses depends on the loudness of the sound, its
  frequency and the length of time one is exposed to it.
  
  
• The conservative cost of indirect and direct costs to a business for an individual
  noise related compensation in Australia claim is $30,000. (NOISE - 2003 Annual Situation Report)
  
  
• Workers who suffer hearing loss also experience stress symptoms such as fatigue,
  emotional problems, high blood pressure, social isolation and sleep disorders. (Institut national de santé publique du Québec)
  
  
• Noise increases the risk of accidents by masking sounds of approaching danger or
  warnings. Noise also increases the risk of accidents through its effect on balance
  and concentration. (Workers Health Centre, Australia)
  
  
• If you have to raise your voice to speak to someone 1 metre away, the noise of the room is over 85 decibels. (National Hearing Conservation Association (Canada))
  
  
• Most nightclubs have noise levels in excess of most industries. (Sonomax research data)