OSHA · Free course
Hearing Conservation
How to protect your hearing from permanent noise-induced hearing loss on the job: how hearing works and why NIHL is gradual, painless, and irreversible — but…
OSHA
Hearing Conservation
What you’ll learn
By the end of this course.
Explain how noise damages hearing and why noise-induced hearing loss is gradual, painless, permanent, and preventable — 1910.95
Judge how loud is too loud using the logarithmic decibel scale, the 85 dBA action level, and the 90 dBA permissible exposure limit — 1910.95
Use the arm's-length rule and the 5-dB exchange rate to recognize hazardous noise exposure
Describe the required hearing conservation program: noise monitoring, audiometric testing, training, and recordkeeping — 1910.95
Select and correctly fit hearing protection — earplugs or earmuffs, the Noise Reduction Rating, and dual protection — worn 100% of the time
Apply the hierarchy of controls (engineering and administrative controls before PPE) and report noise concerns and get your hearing tested — 1910.95
References & standards
Grounded in the source material.
- 29 CFR 1910.95 — Occupational noise exposure
- OSHA — Occupational Noise Exposure (Safety and Health Topics)
- NIOSH — Noise and Occupational Hearing Loss
- NIOSH Pub. 98-126 — Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure (Revised Criteria 1998)
- 29 CFR 1910.95 App. A — Noise exposure computation
This is awareness training. It supports your program; it is not a substitute for site-specific procedures or hands-on competency where a standard requires it.
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