Industrial and Community Audiology

Noise Regulations
The province of Nova Scotia has noise regulations in place to protect workers from occupational noise. A comprehensive hearing conservation program is necessary to protect workers when they are exposed to excessive noise according to provincial regulation. Such a program includes:
• Determination of the sound exposure of employees;
• Implementation of engineering controls, work practices and procedures, and personal hearing protectors;
• Audiometric testing and professional review of results;
• Educational programming for employees and supervisory personnel;
• Employer maintenance of personal exposure records.

Noise exposures at work are evaluated by threshold limited values (TLVs). These levels specify the duration noise levels to which most personnel at work can be safely exposed day after day.