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Posted By Simonh
Does anyone manage an environment that is above the second action level? We have an employee who has an external hearing aid in one ear and is looking to transfer to working in the production area, where noise levels routinely reach 85+Decibels, they are unable to wear ear defenders (but can wear a plug in the non-affected ear) and have been told by the access to work advisor that they are responsible for ensuring their hearing aid is turned to a level that protects them from the workplace. This doesn't feel like we are managing the risk, but I don't want to prevent them from progressing in their job for lack of direction. The law doesn't seem particularly clear.
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Posted By carol hanks
You're right, the Regs do not mention this scenario. I'm assuming that your man has normal hearing in the one ear, in which case I'd be tempted to ask him to remove his hearing aid during work and wear a pair of ear defenders like all the others in the area. Don't forget, the regulations are concerned with protection of hearing and as he s already deaf in one ear you need to take even more stringent precautions to ensure he does not do any more damage to the other.
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Simon
As the employee wears a hearing aid, he has some hearing left in that ear and it is important that it is not made worse by excessive noise exposure. As far as I am aware, hearing aids do not provide any hearing protection and so, as Carol has already said, he should remove his hearing aid and wear suitable hearing protection on both ears.
Paul
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Posted By Martin C
Hearing aids boost sound levels. Use in a high sound level area is out of the question as far as I am concerned. The level in the ear may already be at the action level in a low noise environment. The hearing aid must be removed in high noise areas and ear protection worn. Instructions to switch it off would be easy to ignore and violation of the rule would be hard to spot.
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Posted By Holly McDermott
Simonh
Paris v Stepney Borough Council (1950)
Researching this should give you your answer
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Posted By Simonh
Many thanks to those of you who have replied. The support, as always, is relevant and appreciated.
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