UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- From the shrill cry of a rooster to the loud rumblings of a tractor, farms are noisy places; farmers should protect their hearing before it's too late, says a farm safety expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Loud rock music is about 115 decibels," says Dennis Murphy, professor of agricultural engineering. "Farm noise ranges between 90 and 140 decibels, which is well above the 85-decibel limit at which industrial employers must provide hearing protection for workers.

"Consistent, repetitive exposure to high-decibel noise can damage hearing before you notice any change," Murphy says. "The farmer may think he's getting used to the noise, but in reality he already may have experienced a mild hearing loss."

Hearing loss, like many medical problems, does have warning signs:

--Ringing. Buzzing, whirring or ringing in the ears can indicate a temporary hearing loss.

--Turn it up. If you listen to the radio or television at a volume that seems too loud for family or friends, you may have some hearing damage.

--Pardon me? Frequently asking people to speak up or the inability to follow conversations in a crowd can indicate hearing loss.

On farms, extremely high noise levels may seem normal, but Murphy says there's a quick way to tell if noise is at a dangerous level. "If you have to shout to be heard at a distance of about three feet, the noise is too loud," he explains. "Reduce the noise level or wear hearing protection."

Murphy says safety surveys have shown that farmers are aware of excessive noise hazards, but many opt not to wear ear protection. "It may be that farmers believe wearing them is inconvenient, unwieldy or time-consuming," Murphy says. "Certainly it will be a change in routine, but better to wear protection today than hearing aids tomorrow."

Murphy says ear protection comes in two basic forms: muffs that fit over the ears (much like those worn at shooting ranges) and plugs that are worn inside the ear canal. Both types reduce noise by about 25 decibels. Both product types are carried in health and safety catalogs, sporting goods stores or through licensed audiologists.

"Muffs are more comfortable if worn over a long period of time," Murphy says. "Still, their effectiveness can be compromised if you wear glasses or a hat. Ear plugs are less noticeable and fit into your pocket."

Disposable ear plugs cost about $1. Muffs cost from $5 to $80.

"If you use plugs regularly, it may be more cost effective to buy reusable plugs or muffs," Murphy says.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Dennis Murphy at 814-865-7157.

Contacts: John Wall jtw3@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax