Hearing Conservation
Doug Noble
Penn State's Hearing Conservation Program was developed to monitor and control noise levels associated with activities or areas that may expose individuals to unsafe levels. Prevention and reduction of noise over-exposures is of paramount importance.
Program Applicability
This program applies to all University employees and students who:
- Operate gas-powered or other noisy equipment, or
- Work in areas with potentially hazardous noise levels.
Not sure if an area or task is considered “noisy”? Use this rule of thumb:
If you must raise your voice to clearly communicate with someone standing three feet away, you likely need hearing protection.
Contact EHS to confirm noise exposure concerns or to request an evaluation.
Program Requirements
The Hearing Conservation Program includes the following elements:
- Noise and sound level testing conducted by EHS
- Use of engineering controls, when feasible, to reduce noise exposure
- Proper selection and use of hearing protection when engineering controls are not possible
- Annual hearing tests and training for enrolled employees
Roles and Responsibilities
Safety Officers, Facility Coordinators, Managers, and Supervisors must:
- Maintain and update a list of affected employees within their unit
- Coordinate required annual hearing testing and training
- Ensure employees and students properly select and use hearing protection
- Notify EHS of new or modified noise sources so sound level testing can be conducted
- Purchase quieter equipment when feasible
Employees and students must:
- Select and properly wear hearing protection when required
- Notify supervisors and EHS of new or potential noise hazards
Training Requirements
- Hearing Conservation Awareness Training is required annually for employees enrolled in the program.
Self‑Inspection and Ongoing Awareness
Everyone plays a role in preventing hearing loss:
- Report potentially loud noise sources to EHS
- Watch for proper hearing protection use, including:
- Correctly inserted earplugs
- Earmuffs worn under jacket hoods, not over them
Recordkeeping Requirements
The following records must be maintained:
- Lists of affected employees (work units)
- Hearing test records (maintained by PSU Occupational Medicine)
- Sound level testing data (maintained by EHS)
Documents and Forms
Program:
- Hearing Conservation Program Manual
Procedures:
- Hearing Conservation NIOSH Work-Related Noise Exposure Chart
Forms