Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Hearing Without C Could Los Music from your favorite stereo, a favorite television program, birds singing, people talking. These are sounds vou hear almost every day. But what would you do if suddenly you couldn't hear anymore? Hearing, like sight, touch, taste, and feeling, is something most take for granted. You've always been able to hear and always will. Or will you? Clinton Mills has already begun its 1982 audiometric testing program. The Company is concentrating its efforts to control noise and promote hearing conservation. Many employees ask, "Why should I be interested in protecting my hearing?" The answer is quite simple: Imagine yourself being suddenly cut off from the voices of your family and friends. Think of losing all of the pleasure and meaning of speech, music, the telephone, radio, television, and many other things you enjoy through the miracle of hearing. Annual Hearing Test The basic part of Clinton's hearing conservation program is the annual audiometrir (hearing) tests. Trained technicians administer the test, retrain employees in the proper wearing of hearing protection, and explain the test results. A comparison is also made between the current test and the baseline audiogram which the Company has on record. During the annual testing program, employees receive educational material on hearing conservation, refitted in the proper ear plugs, and afforded an opportunity to ask any questions which they have about the program. Wearing of hearing protection is mandatory in all areas where noise levels equal or exceed 85 decibels (db). Question: How can I be sure tha jir Answer: Each employee's ear p trained personnel. Protectors mu? must be a good seal between the si the ear protector. Since insert-ty they must be taken out and insert the work day. tare. You >e It! hJ ? Joyce Ann Kinard, a Plant No. 1 Weaving employee, receives her annual hearing test. If during the annual hearing tests an employee is found to have a significant thresnold shift, he will be retested and counseled in possible ways to prevent hearing iuoo. t I use ear protectors correctly? rotectors will be fitted properly by st fit snugly to be effective. There irface of the skin and the surface of pe protectors tend to work loose, ed again from time to time during ^ I ^ \ yL- ' m t Jm A Sonny King, Clinton's Coordinator of Healt technician, explains to Joyce Kinard the res opportunity to ask any questions. uan i Hear With When properly fitted into the ear canal, | ear plugs reduce the force of sound waves striking the ear drum. In order to properly protect your hearing, an employee MUST wear the correct size ear plug and wear it properly. Every employee's ear plugs are fitted by trained personnel. They must fit snugly to be effective. There must be a good seal between the ear surface and the plug. Since the ear plugs will work loose, they must be reinserted during the work shift. 'Hearing' Hea Your Help And Below are some suggestions the both on and off the job. Wear hearing protection in hi? Should you notice a change in buzzing in your ears or trouble f nurse. Follow good health practices, f hearing loss. Don't swim if you have a punc Remember only a trained profei or other debris from your ears. Obje and Q-tips will only push things f; If you have an earache or ear .follow his advice. You shouldn't ti using old medicines. Hearing loss infections. Some prescription drugs can a tion is making your ears ring, tell yc substitute a drug that won't affec If you suspect you have a hearii possible. Don't put it off. ...page three h and Safety and also a trained audiometric ults of her hearing test and affords her an Ear Plugs In? Employees who regularly wear their ear plugs often report they hear better in anas with steady noise. Ear plugs cut down on the noise level and therefore decrease the distortion so speech and warning signals are heard more clearly. If ear plugs are properly fitted, correctly worn, kept clean by regularly washing, they vui 11 nnt raneo *? ..... i.u. uiu? IIUCI.IIUII ui mi id nun. ?ny employee who experiences difficulties wearing ear plugs, should consult with his/her plant nurse. Ith Requires Cooperation it will help protect your hearing jh-noise areas. your hearing, such as ringing or learing people, see your plant 3oor physical health can lead to :tured ear drum, ssional can properly remove wax cts such as pencils, bobby pins, arther in your ear. infprtinn coo v/our H<-v/~*/-??- r*nA wv jv/ui uuv/IUI aMu 7 to treat the problem yourself i can resu't from untreated ear ffect your hearing. If a medica)ur doctor. He should be able to t your hearing. rig problem, get help as soon as