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Useful tips to improve hearing protection |
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Written by PEM
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SMITHFIELD, RI—Sperian Hearing Protection launched a special micro-site for its new VeriPRO earplug field-verification software. VeriPRO allows safety managers to get an accurate "real-world" picture of employees' hearing protection, says the company. Utilizing sophisticated software with a user-friendly interface, VeriPRO determines the Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) of the earplugs each worker uses regularly on the job, and can help managers determine whether employees require additional fit training or different style earplugs.
The new VeriPRO micro-site (www.howardleightveripro.com) provides visitors with information, including background on the program's function and development, as well as research and best practices related to VeriPRO usage. A slideshow walks visitors through its program set-up and functionality, and a downloadable brochure provides a handy take-away reference. The research section features PDFs of studies performed by the Howard Leight Acoustical Laboratory on topics, such as "Assessing Fit Effectiveness of Earplugs." Also provided is a direct link for VeriPRO clients to additional program information.
Unlike typical audiometric tests, which measure the softest level at which a listener can hear a tone-VeriPRO uses a relative measurement of hearing level, says the company. The loudness of a tone in one ear is balanced to a tone in the opposite ear at a known level. This "loudness-balance" method allows an accurate hearing test to be performed with the employee's own earplugs, with normal background noise levels found in a typical office or worksite (no special sound booth or accommodations are needed), says the company.
VeriPRO calculates the amount of attenuation at each frequency in each ear and displays a specific PAR. VeriPRO reports allow managers to initiate corrective measures (i.e. individual fit training), says the company.
www.howardleight.com
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