Hearing Protection For Farmers & Agricultural Workers
Perhaps more than any other occupational group, agricultural workers are exposed to a tremendous variety of environmental hazards that are potentially harmful to their health and well-being. Agriculture can generate high noise levels. Tractors, forage harvesters, silage blowers, chain saws, skid-steer loaders, grain dryers, squealing pigs and guns are some of the most typical sources of noise on the farm. Studies suggest that lengthy exposure to these high sound levels have resulted in noise induced hearing loss to farmers of all ages, including teenagers.
Low Frequency Noise Protection
Low frequency noise from engines, motors and fans is prevalent in many farming environments. This noise is not easily eliminated with traditional passive hearing protection devices. Low frequency noise waves are long and carry great distances. They can penetrate passive barriers like foam earcups or even cement walls (which is why you can hear the bass of your neighbor's stereo).
|
Agricultural Noise Sources |
dB Level |
|
Agricultural Machinery |
|
|
Cascade grain drier |
93 |
|
Cross flow grain drier |
94 |
|
Green crop drier |
94 |
|
Roller/crusher mill for feed preparation |
92 |
|
Hop cleaner/picker |
94 |
|
Vegetable preparation area/packing shed |
92 |
|
Beet harvester |
92 |
|
Tracklayer |
98 |
|
Blower/duster (man carried) |
89 |
|
Chain saw |
104 |
|
Turkey plucker |
100 |
|
Turkey house |
94 |
|
Orchard sprayer |
85-100 |
|
Agricultural Noise Sources |
dB Level |
|
Use of Tractors |
|
|
Disc mower |
91 |
|
High density baler |
97 |
|
Hedge cutter |
90 |
|
Orchard sprayer |
98 |
|
Straw chopper |
90 |
|
With cab |
73-90 |
|
Without cab |
91-99 |
|
Full throttle |
105 |
|
Full load |
120 |
|
All terrain vehicle |
100 |
Get the BEST Farm Equipment Ear Protection
The NoiseBuster Active Noise Reduction (ANR) Earmuff is the only hearing protection device to combine a passive noise-blocking earmuff with ANR. ANR is the coupling of a noise wave with its exact mirror image wave to cancel the noise. This is the most effective method to combat low-frequency noise. The passive component of the NoiseBuster ANR Earmuff provides superior attenuation of mid- and high-frequency noise, thereby providing the best hearing protection.
