OLDS, Alta. — Farming may seem like a peaceful, tranquil business, but it’s often a noisy job that leaves farmers with permanent hearing loss.
In a effort to help farmers recognize the dangers, Alberta Agriculture and two farm women’s groups have launched a program called “Tune In.”
Sue Haske, a University of Alberta audiologist, worked with the Women’s Institutes and Women of Unifarm to develop kits designed to protect hearing.
“Noise-induced hearing loss is usually gradual and painless but unfortunately it’s permanent,” Haske told a group of women at their joint convention.
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When other workers are in noisy areas they wear ear protection. Farmers aren’t always as careful. In the kits are ear plugs, a sound meter and information on hearing loss.
It instructs farmers how to measure typical farm noises, and provides a tape that plays sounds commonly heard on a farm. Setting the sound meter at 60 decibels, the family can compare the noise on their farm with the meter.
Anything over 80 dB is potentially dangerous, said Haske.
Hearing damage can occur from several sources. It can happen with a one-time exposure to extremely loud noise, repeated or long exposure to a loud noise, and extended exposure to moderate noise.
For example, a chicken barn is around 90 dB and a pig barn is about 100 dB.
“You should not be in there for even an hour without hearing protection devices,” she said.
Machinery is noisy
Common farm machinery is also responsible for hearing loss. A rototiller and lawn mower make 100 dB of noise. Snowmobiles and chain saws measure 113 dB. The noise inside a tractor cab is 73 dB, but outside the sound increases to 92 dB.
Even a loud television played for more than an hour can cause hearing damage, she said.
To reduce hearing loss, Haske gave some common sense advice.
Turn the volume down on loud music or the television. For those with a hearing problem, get a sound assistance device to save the ears of the rest of the family. She also suggests people try to reduce their exposure to loud noise and wear ear protection.
