CHAPTER 5 NOISE AND MONITORING

Question 1

What are the three parts of the ear involved in hearing?

Answer 1

External/outer ear (captures sound), Middle ear (amplifies sound),
Inner ear (converts sound to electrical signals).

Question 2

What is sound pressure level (SPL) measured in?

Answer 2

Decibels

Question 3

What is noise in an occupational health context?

Answer 3

Unwanted or undesirable sound that can affect hearing.

Question 4

Name four types of noise commonly found in the workplace.

Answer 4

Wide Band Noise,
Narrow Band Noise,
Impulse Noise,
Intermittent Noise.

Question 5

What is a noise dosimeter used for?

Answer 5

Measuring a worker’s noise exposure, especially when noise levels are varying or intermittent.

Question 6

What is the purpose of audiometric testing?

Answer 6

To measure the hearing threshold of employees and monitor hearing loss.

Question 7

What factors are considered when selecting hearing protection?

Answer 7

Characteristics of the noise,
frequency of exposure,
comfort,
communication needs,
medical conditions,
NRR (Noise Reduction Rate).

Question 8

What is the Noise Control Program’s approach to controlling noise?

Answer 8

At source (e.g., enclosing the source), along the path (e.g., moving the source farther),
at receiver (e.g., using PPE).

Question 9

What is the frequency range that people with normal hearing can detect?

Answer 9

From 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Question 10

Define “threshold of hearing.”

Answer 10

The weakest sound that a healthy person can hear in an extremely quiet location, typically around 10 dBA.

Question 11

What are the effects of excessive noise exposure on hearing?

Answer 11

Hearing loss,
affected by factors like noise intensity, type,
duration of exposure,
age,
distance from noise source.

Question 12

What is the purpose of noise monitoring in the workplace?

Answer 12

To identify noisy areas or equipment and workers exposed above the action level or permissible exposure limit (PEL).

Question 13

How does a Sound Level Meter (SLM) function in noise monitoring?

Answer 13

It measures sound pressure variations in the air, ideal for continuous noise levels or stationary workers.

Question 14

What does an audiometer measure in hearing tests?

Answer 14

It measures the threshold of hearing, recording the hearing ability of each ear across different frequencies.

Question 15

What types of hearing protection are available?

Answer 15

Helmet enclosures,
ear plugs,
ear muffs,
ear canal caps.

Question 16

What is Noise Reduction Rate (NRR) in hearing protection?

Answer 16

A measurement in dB of how well a hearing protector reduces noise as specified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Question 17

What is the purpose of an audiogram?

Answer 17

To provide a visual representation of a person’s hearing ability,
used for monitoring and identifying hearing loss over time.

Question 18

List the three main noise control strategies in the workplace.

Answer 18

Control at the source,
control along the path,
control at the receiver.