Noise & Hearing Protection

Exposure to loud sounds may cause permanent damage to your hearing, just like heat causes a burn or a sharp object causes a cut. You can't see or feel the damage from noise, but it can be measured on hearing tests.

Inside our ears are thousand of tiny hair cells that send hearing signals to the brain. These hair cells act like blades of grass in your lawn—if you walk across them too much or stomp on them too hard, they will eventually bend, break and die out. Listening to sounds too long or at high volume will damage these irreplaceable delicate hair cells.

News & Announcements

The NASA Glenn Research Center Acoustical Testing Laboratory is pleased to announce the release of a free PC software application that was developed for instructional use in audiology and hearing conservation learning environments. MACSUG (Microprocessor Audiometer Computer Simulator User Gizmo) is a graphical audiometer interface that allows the user to simulate and display the process of manual audiometry. A computer using MACSUG software may be used to demonstrate basic manual audiometry techniques to large groups in a classroom setting using a computer projector system. MACSUG may also be used to teach principles of audiogram review using a real-time display of calculated metrics such as shifts and Standard Threshold Shift (STS). A computer with MACSUG may be used for individual or small-group practice or homework or as a desktop counseling tool in a clinic environment. You may DOWNLOAD MACSUG after completing a registration form. We’d especially appreciate your feedback on MACSUG. Don’t miss our “Try MACSUG on your coffee break, and we’ll send you a mug” offer (for instructors in CAOHC-approved OHC courses and university audiology courses in the United States) when you visit the Acoustical Testing Laboratory website to download your copy of MACSUG!
The National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) will host its 33rd Annual Conference, February 21-23, 2008, in Portland, Oregon. For more info, visit their Web site.
Risk to Hearing From Personal Stereo Systems
Try the NIOSH Hearing Loss Simulator.
CAOHC Hearing Conservation Manual, 4th Edition, is now available
Responses to OSHA's request for comments (PDF)
Noise Manual, 5th Edition, is now available