Hearing conservation in New York State.

Department of Labor occupational noise-exposure standards will not protect all employees from hearing loss. For an occupational noise exposure of 90 dBA for 8 h/day for 10 years or more, the expected New York State Workmen's Compensation award per employee per year is estimated to be $25. A comprehensive hearing conservation program to reduce an employer's liability for hearing loss could be financed by savings in potential compensation awards. Similarly, in plants where the occupational noise environment exceeds O.S.H.A. noise-exposure requirements, expenditures for engineering methods for noise control may be economically justified by savings in potential compensation payments. This paper reviews the methodology for determining the expected employee compensation award for occupational hearing loss and relates it to potential hearing conservation program costs.