NIOSH
Hearing Loss Simulator
|
NIOSH |
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a useful software package for demonstrating the effects of noise-induced hearing loss. The NIOSH Hearing Loss Simulator runs on a Windows-based PC with sound capabilities, and allows the user to select different durations and levels of noise exposure while "hearing" the effects on a variety of foreground and background sounds.
|
Free Download NIOSH Hearing Loss Simulator for Windows (24.7MB) Version: 2.2.0.26 Build date: 11/4/2004 |
The Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association makes this downloadable version of
the simulator available as a convenience to the health and safety community. If you are unable to download, you can request a CD from Bob Randolph at NIOSH (rrandolph@cdc.gov) |
The simulator displays a "control panel" for playing sounds while adjusting the simulated effects of noise and aging. The screenshot below shows the most common functions. A simulated individual's age (in years) can be entered along with the years of exposure to noise (in A-weighted decibels). The effects are shown visually on the frequency band control panel and sound level display screen while the user listens to playback sounds.
Here are just two of the many scenarios the simulator can produce:
| No hearing loss | ||
 |
A typical young individual who has had no significant noise exposure
would have good hearing at all frequencies.
Click here for the simulator's version of what they would hear. |
|
Typical noise-induced hearing loss |
||
 |
A 55 year-old worker who has been exposed to a moderate level of noise
(95 A-weighted decibels) over their 25-year career would typically show a
hearing loss, mainly in the high frequencies (3000 Hz and up) that are
important for understanding speech and enjoying music. Click here for the simulator's version of what they would hear. |
How these samples sound to you is affected by your own hearing, of course. The main thing is to hear the difference that noise exposure makes.
Noise-induced hearing loss is 100% preventable. The best way is to eliminate the sources of noise or minimize the time you spend with them. If you must be around noise, wear earmuffs, earplugs, or some other hearing protector.
 | NIOSH Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention topic page |
| NIOSH Mining Health and Safety program (the developers of the simulator) |
| MSHA Noise Rule single-source page |
| OSHA Noise and Hearing Conservation topic page |