Smithfield, RI - Hearing protectors are unique among personal protective equipment in that, in order to protect hearing, they make users partially deaf. This can lead to complications not found with other protective equipment, namely, overprotection, said hearing conservationist, Renee S. Bessette, COHC.

"The risks of overprotection are very real when dealing with hearing conservation, and the consequences can be catastrophic," said Bessette, who is Marketing Manager for Sperian Hearing Protection, LLC, corporate parent of the Howard Leight brand. "A worker who cannot hear the warning signal of a truck or piece of heavy equipment backing up can be in serious danger."

But the consequences are more common and more far reaching than that, she added. "Workers who cannot hear on the job are much more likely to make mistakes than those who can communicate naturally with their supervisors and co-workers. Also, studies have shown that workers who cannot communicate clearly or effectively with their fellows tend to feel more isolated on the job, and are less likely to be happy or productive."

What is overprotection? There is no hard and fast rule, but according to Bessette, any protection that reduces sound levels so far below the OSHA-defined 85 dB Action Level that it interferes with communication can be considered overprotection. "For example," she said, "properly using an earplug rated at 33 NRR to protect against 90 dB noise levels (the minimum for which protection is required) would definitely qualify."

To guard against overprotection, Bessette recommends a three part strategy. "First, know the noise levels in your facility, especially in areas where other hazards are present. A good idea is to post a noise map, indicating where hearing protection is required, and how much. Making workers wear hearing protectors in areas where they are not required, or providing hearing protectors overrated for the noise hazard is a sure way to induce overprotection."