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Off the Wall
Nov. 1, 2007
Too often we buy a product and are anxious to try
it out as soon as we get home. Once the packaging is removed
and the directions are found, we think all will be resolved and
it's only a matter of minutes that the new investment will be
up and running, so to speak.
Well, along those same lines, my sister purchased
some ear plugs. After she threw the box away, I happened to retrieve
the packaging. Just for the heck of it, I wanted to see what
industry manufactured the earplugs and the data to go along with
it. What I learned was an education to the minus nth degree.
Here is what I learned verbatim.
"Information Required by the E.P.A. I figured
that to stand for the Ear Plug Association."
Underneath the following text read: "The
level of noise entering a person's ear, when hearing protector
is worn as directed, is closely approximated by the difference
between the A-weighted environmental noise level and the NRR."
Great. I guess I could come up with any number of words that
could have been filled in for those three initials, not that
it would have made much of any difference to my simple mind.
Let me continue.
"Example:
1. The environmental noise level
as measured at the ear is 98 dB (A)." Wonderful.
2. The NRR is 22 decibels (dB).
Well, at least we know what dB is, not that it helps.
3. The level of the noise entering
the ear is approximately equal to 76 dB (A)." Swell!
To continue "Caution: For noise environments
dominated by frequencies below 500 Hz (there's a new one), the
C-weighted environment noise level (C as in vitamin C?) should
be used. Improper fit of this device will reduce its effectiveness
in attenuating noise (whatever that is). Although hearing protectors
can be recommended for protection against the harmful effects
of impulsive noise, the Noise Reduction Rating (ah ha finally
we are told what that stands for) is based on the attenuation
of continuous noise and may not be an accurate indicator of the
protection attainable against impulsive noise such as gunfire."
So glad an example was given. I was beginning to wonder
if it had to do with someone screaming at me.
Now that we know the noted example, this following
sentence makes sense. "Constant or repetitive exposure to
impulsive noise may lead to serious injury, temporary or permanent
deafness. The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) calculated from the
attenuation is 22 dB." Well, isn't that special!
"The Silicone Earplugs must be properly fitted
to attenuate noise effectively."
It would have been nice if the company would have
marked the label, "Read back before purchasing." On
the other hand, there are people out there with minds that are
way above my comprehensive level. Maybe these plugs are made
for them.
The whole description is written about how to use
these silicone earplugs. The description was written by scientists
for scientists, as I see it.
Here is what tickled my funny bone. Quote unquote
"In case of misuse call 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx for a 24 hour
message." If one is going to stay up and listen to this,
when is he going to have time to sleep utilizing this type earplug
to the 98 dBs?
Paul j. volkmann
9/12/07
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