Acoustic awareness: A focus on safety for critical communication workers in demanding settings

The complexities of noise in different industries

Every industry faces unique complexities and challenges regarding audio requirements. For instance, in the mining and oil and gas (MOG) extraction sectors, it is reported that 17 percent of workers exposed to noise have hearing impairment in both ears.¹ In contrast, in Public Administration, which includes Public Safety, 28 percent of workers have experienced exposure to hazardous noise at some point during their jobs.²

UK noise regulations state that the levels of exposure to noise of employees averaged over a working day should be less than 87 dB(A). Noise exposure levels must not exceed a peak sound pressure of 140 dB(C). Any noise above this level can cause significant damage to an individual’s hearing.³

In industries where noise levels can pose a significant health risk and ‘…its impact on the human body goes far beyond damaging hearing’,⁴ it is paramount to consider the best hearing protection for these environments to protect your team from hearing damage or loss.

This risk needs to be balanced against being able to hear clearly and having sufficiently loud audio. That balance comes down to choosing the right accessory and managing noise exposure in a controlled way.

Purchasing unapproved third-party audio accessories may seem like the best option in certain cases, but there are things to consider when doing so. These include:

• Tested to official regulations: Do your research and find out if they’ve been tested to the appropriate regulations and standards levels required to protect users from hearing damage. Check for regulatory marking and ask for evidence of compliance if in doubt.
• Compatibility: Be aware that there may be compatibility issues when connecting accessories to the radio’s RAC connector where they may not fit properly or could easily detach themselves. Also, the types of materials used to construct the accessories could impede the performance and invalidate the warranty of the radio. For example, different metals used on the side connectors could over time cause wear of connective pads, or an incorrect pitch screw could permanently damage a screw boss.
• Total cost of ownership: Initial savings can prove expensive in the long run. Consider if the cable on an ear hanger is bent and brakes while in operation; this could potentially put a user and others in danger due to loss of communication. Having products that are tried and tested to the highest standards is crucial in any mission-critical environment. Sepura completes accelerated life testing to make sure products are robust and reliable.
• Noise level parameters: Unapproved third-party audio equipment may not have the correct parameters to ensure clear audio levels in different scenarios. When the accessory is attached to the radio device, it may be too loud or too quiet or could be muffled, making it unreliable.

Rigorous in-house testing

Sepura carries out thorough in-house testing on all our products to ensure they perform optimally in real-world situations, including accelerated life testing where devices endure both physical stress and environmental extremes. One fundamental part of this testing at our UK headquarters involves measuring audio quality, which we achieve by using our semi-anechoic chamber. The combination of the chamber with the calibrated head and torso simulator allows us to achieve optimal and consistent audio quality standards.

The chamber is a controlled environment free from any internal or external influences. It allows the Acoustic Engineering team to take consistent and repeatable acoustic measurements, enabling accurate comparisons across different environments and setups.

Various types of audio equipment are subject to testing due to the specific needs of different industries. For instance, some sectors may require devices like single earpieces or ear hangers to maintain operational awareness. In contrast, other industries might prefer headsets or speaker microphones. As a result, it’s essential to test these diverse equipment types to ensure they meet the unique requirements of each application.

Conclusion

Choosing the correct equipment for your users means they’ll be able to perform their roles efficiently and safely. When choosing your audio equipment, doing the research, understanding the acoustic risks and what testing has been performed will ensure a high-quality and crystal-clear audio performance whatever the environment.

References:

1. Masterson EA, Bushnell PT, Themann CL, & Morata TC. (2016). Hearing impairment among noise-exposed workers — United States, 2003–2012. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 65(15), 389-394.
2. Kerns E, Masterson EA, Themann CL, & Calvert GM. (2018). Cardiovascular conditions, hearing difficulty and occupational noise exposure within U.S. industries and occupations. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 61, 477-491.
3. Employers’ responsibilities – legal duties. Health and Safety Executive website.
4. How our noisy world is seriously damaging our health. BBC News website.