Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL)

Project ID: 8141
Principal Investigator: April Brown
Research Topic: Public and Employee Safety
Funded Fiscal Years: 2018, 2019 and 2020
Keywords: None

Research Question

To demonstrate noise abatement technology effectiveness on treating the noise in the Hoover Dam power plant identified via the noise engineering control survey completed in July of 2016.

Need and Benefit

Engineering controls are the first line of defense against work place hazards. This project will allow the Hoover dam power plant to eliminate identified noise hazards and isolate them. In the Hoover Dam power plant all area on the noise engineering survey were identified ranging from 89 dBA- 106 dBA. The best way to protect employees is to install effect engineering controls. Effective engineering controls will help improve the environment and help reduce NIHL and hearing loss claims. This engineering controls will help prevent future hearing loss claims and will protect workers against recognized hazards. This demonstration will show effectiveness of engineering controls at a location with noise levels in the 90s in most locations of the facility. During this project Temp coat and Silent Running coating will be tested to see capability for it to be used on piping systems to reduce noise. The data collected by Reclamation doesn't show the capability of sound solutions working on areas. This demonstration will show abatement ability for high noise environments throughout Reclamation.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Hoover Dam Powerplant Noise Control Research – Survey Results Post Controls Install (final, PDF, 4.6MB)
By Lisa Duncan and Jeff Komrower
Report completed on September 30, 2021

This research product summarizes the research results and potential application to Reclamation's mission.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20