b'THE OFFICIAL NFBA MAGAZINECAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? PREVENTING HEARING LOSS IN THE WORKPLACESAFETY UPDATEMore than 48 million people are affected by hearing loss in the United States. One of the most common causes of hearing loss is exposure to loud noise, referred to as noise induced hearing loss.By:William McCaffreyT he Centers for Disease Control andanxiety, high blood pressure, heart Prevention have called noise induceddisease, depression, and other health hearing loss the most common work-relatedissues.injury. Workers in the mining, construction, andControlling noise exposure is a key element of manufacturing industries are most likely to beany workplace safety and health program. The exposed to dangerous levels of noise. Many times,Hierarchy of Controls is a method of selecting the hearing loss is accompanied by tinnitus, a ringingmost appropriate control measure when a workplace in the ears that can affect concentration and disrupthazard has been identified. It is often depicted sleep. Exposure to loud noise also can cause stress,graphically as an upside-down pyramid with five 30 / FRAME BUILDER - VOL4 6'