Instructional and 

Non-Instructional 

Noise Training Exercises

Edward A. Barrett, Mining Engineer CMSP

Mining Hearing Loss Prevention Workshop

June 21-22, 2005

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory
Noise Training Exercises

• Drill Rig Incident

– Instructional (Instructor-led)

– Format: Invisible Ink

– NIOSH IC # 9473

• Wearing Hearing Protection Properly

– Non-Instructional (Self-teaching)

– Format: 3-D Slide Reel

– NIOSH IC # 9472
Drill Rig Incident: Components
Invisible Ink
Drill Rig Incident

Subjects covered:

– Important facts about hearing loss

– How to know if you have a hearing loss

– How you can tell if noise is too loud

– How to deal with loud noise

– Using hearing protection properly

– Why you should protect your hearing
Training Class: Invisible Ink Exercise
Wearing Hearing Protection Properly: 

Components
Wearing Hearing Protection Properly

Subjects covered:

– Properly inserting foam ear plugs

– Dual protection

–Bad seal with earmuffs
Training Using 3-D Slide Reel
Instructor’s Manual

IC 9473

Information Circular/2005

IC 9472

Information Circular/2004
Instructor’s Manual

IC 9473

Information Circular/2005

Drill Rig Incident

Exercise Summary

How to Use the Exercise

Performance Objectives

Master Answer Sheet

Instructor Discussion 

Notes

Scoring Key

Etc.
Instructor’s Manual

IC 9472

Information Circular/2004 Wearing Hearing

Protection Properly

Exercise Summary

How to Use the Exercise

Performance Objectives

Discussion Notes

Etc.
Drill Rig Incident: Question G

You think that the program should teach workers how to

recognize signs of hearing loss. You want to suggest ways

that they can judge for themselves if their hearing is bad.

Which of the following would you recommend that Rip

include in the training? (Select as MANY as you think are

correct)

30. They often ask people to repeat what they are saying.

31. Someone tells them they talk too loud.

32. They have trouble hearing normal conversation.

33. They complain about people mumbling.

34. They have constant ringing or buzzing in their ears.

35. Others complain that the TV is too loud.
Drill Rig Incident: Question G

30. [Correct. If this happens most of the time, it’s

one sign that a person may have a hearing

loss.]

31. [This doesn’t necessarily mean they have a

hearing problem. A loud voice may be normal

for some people. Try again.]

32. [Correct. In most cases, this points to a

hearing loss.]

33. [Correct. With a hearing loss, it is difficult to

hear all of the sounds that are spoken. Talk

may sound like people are mumbling.]

34. [Correct. Called tinnitus, this is a classic

symptom of hearing loss.]

35. [Correct.]
Drill Rig Incident: Question G

From the Instructor’s Manual Discussion Notes:

The correct answers are 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35. It’s

important for workers to be able to assess their 

own individual level of hearing. They are more 

likely to protect the hearing they have left when 

they know and accept the fact that some of their 

hearing is gone. Workers need to be aware that 

one sign of a hearing loss is asking others to repeat 

what has been said (30). Problems hearing normal 

conversation (32), complaints about people 

mumbling (33), and having to turn up the volume 

on the TV (35) are also signs of hearing loss. 

Constant buzzing or ringing in the ears, called 

tinnitus (34), can also indicate a hearing loss. 
3-D Slide Reel: Scene 2
3-D Slide Reel: Scene 2
3-D Slide Reel: Scene 2

• Before inserting foam earplugs, they should be 

rolled into a thin crease-free cylinder. In order to 

get the diameter of the cylinder as small as 

possible and crease-free, you should begin by 

squeezing the earplug lightly as it is being rolled 

between your forefinger and thumb. Then 

gradually apply progressively greater pressure as 

the plug becomes more tightly compressed.

• The earplug may also be rolled in a person’s 

palms to achieve the thin, crease-free cylinder. 

This may be necessary for the person who has 

small or thin fingers, in which case the cylinder 

could end up in a distorted “barbell” shape.

• A mistake that some workers make is to 

unintentionally roll the foam earplug into a ball or 

cone, instead of a cylinder. This results in a 

configuration that cannot be inserted very far 

into the ear canal and, therefore, is incapable of 

providing effective protection. 
Drill Rig Incident

You get...

– Problem Booklet

– Answer sheet

– Instructor’s Manual

You supply...

– Developing pens

Wearing Hearing Protection Properly

You get...

– 3-D Slide Reel

– Instructor’s Manual

You supply...

– 3-D Viewer
Availability of Training Exercises

NIOSH – Publications Dissemination

4676 Columbia Parkway

Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998

1-800-35-NIOSH

(1-800-356-4674)

(513) 533-8573 fax

pubstaft@cdc.gov

www.cdc.gov/niosh
Availability of Training Exercises

Bobbie Calhoun

NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory

626 Cochrans Mill Road

P.O. Box 18070

Pittsburgh, PA 15236

(412) 386-5901

(412) 386-5902 fax

minetraining@cdc.gov
For more information

Edward A. Barrett

NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory

Phone: 412-386-5068 Fax: 412-386-4864

ehb1@cdc.gov

www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining