Dangers of Compressed Air - Hearing

Wear hearing protection – Air pressurized at 40 psi or greater can rupture an eardrum if it passes four inches or closer to the ear. A rupture can lead to brain hemorrhage and death.

It’s something none of us want to face, especially early in our lives: hearing loss. At home, our sense of sound is vitally important in interacting with family and friends; at the workplace, hearing is necessary to accurately get the job done.

The possibility of hearing loss is a harsh reality when working with compressed air; in fact, without the necessary precautions and responsible actions, the medium can rupture an eardrum, leading to a possible brain hemorrhage or even death.

Using compressed air close to the ear is extremely likely to cause permanent hearing damage without the proper protection. Pressurized air that is 40 psi or greater can cause an eardrum to rupture if it is four inches or closer to the head.

According to a write-up from American Training Resources, compressed air can have noise levels between 110 and 140 decibels, much higher than the ideal level of 90 decibels set by OSHA.

Harm to the ears at the expense of compressed air is not guaranteed, however, when workers sport the proper hearing protection for the situation. Whether its ear plugs or ear muffs, these products are capable of saving employees from potential danger.

When using ear plugs or muffs, it is key to make sure that they fit well either around or on the ear in order to gain maximum protection. Furthermore, ensuring that the devices are comfortable will greatly improve the chances that they will continue to be worn throughout the years.

In summary, the use of compressed air in your industry of choice is a good one, but to maintain your safety and well-being, knowing the threats of the medium is important. The use of ear plugs and ear muffs is very important and should be a standard for those who come in contact with compressed air.