Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: APRIL 2016 9 by Dr. Lisa Tseng I t is not surprising that law enforcement professionals have a greater risk of hearing loss than most people, considering that firearms and police car sirens can exceed 120 decibels – the equivalent to a heavy-metal concert. Exposure to sounds that loud, over many months and years, can contribute to noise- induced hearing loss. Hearing loss has many con- sequences, affecting people personally and profession- ally. According to a 2013 survey, 30 percent of employees said they suspect they have a hearing problem but have not sought treatment. If you or a loved one is ex- periencing hearing loss, now is the time for treatment. Early signs of hearing loss include turning up the TV or radio to levels others consider too loud, having trouble hear- ing in noisy environments or difficulty hearing on the phone. To help prevent hearing loss, here are some helpful tips: • For people consistently exposed to noise, especially while on the job, consider options such as ear muffs or custom earplugs that offer significant protection. • When attending sports events or music concerts, use ear protection such as inexpensive ear plugs that are available at pharmacies and other retail stores. • Limit exposure to loud sounds – including music, lawnmowers and motorcycles – to no more than 20 minutes at a time. • Follow the 60/60 rule, which means use earbuds for no more than 60 minutes at a time and at 60 percent of the device’s maximum volume. For people with hearing loss, here are tips to improve communications at work and at play: • Before a meeting, request an agenda that will make it easier to follow the discus- sion. Ask for a meeting recap or partner with co-workers to share notes. • Select a place at the table that enables you to see co- workers’ faces and watch lips to help enhance speech understanding. • Rather than nodding along to a conversation you can’t follow, politely stop the dis- cussion and ask the speaker to rephrase what was said. • If recommended, consider wearing hearing aids, which help people hear soft sounds and keep loud noises at a comfortable level. Preserving hearing health, or obtaining treatment if necessary, is crucial for all Americans but especially cops and firefighters. Dr. Lisa Tseng is the CEO at hi-HealthInnovations. Officers at risk of hearing loss Hearing aids improve every year. But prevention is the best medicine. 8-bay Charging Dock The Prima Facie® body worn camera collects full motion video while combining even more advanced features; high resolution digital stills greatly enhance the documentation of crime scenes, and audio-only recording is convenient for interviews or collecting witness statements. The automatic IR illuminators allow action to be seen in total darkness, and the 2 inch LCD screen allows recorded media to be instantly reviewed. The unique two-way radio interface allows the Prima Facie to replace existing chest mounted microphones, reducing weight and bulk. Prima Facie provides all of these features without the use of constricting multi-year contracts, giving you the freedom to decide your agency’s own data management plan. Copyright © 2016 Safety Vision, LLC All Rights Reserved. Find out more today! www.safetyvision.com 800.849.9621