After the Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act was promulgated, MOL made contributions to establish COAPRE, which has now been open for over 2 years. The center is dedicated to providing integrated services in occupational accident prevention and occupational accident worker protection and rehabilitation. To prevent hearing damage due to workplace noise, the center has developed an in-ear noise exposure monitoring technology that can be applied to assess the performance of hearing protection gears on the market. This helps to improve workplace noise exposure, maintain worker's hearing health, and create a safe and healthy work environment.

Most hearing protection gear on the market such as earmuffs are imported and designed based on foreign anthropometric data. Moreover, earmuffs are often taken off due to communication needs or when hard hats are needed, thereby affecting its soundproofing performance due to inadequate fit. COAPRE has developed an in-ear noise exposure monitoring technology. A real-ear test was conducted using a miniature microphone, data logging module, and Bluetooth earphones to continuously measure the noise level experienced by workers. This allows the center to understand if the workers wearing earmuffs are still exposed to harmful noise levels. The technology can be used to test the performance of hearing protection gears on the market, making it a powerful tool for noise control!

According to Article 300-1 of Taiwan's Regulations for Occupational Safety and Health Installations, workplaces with an average sound pressure of more than 85 decibels over 8 hours must provide workers with hearing protection equipment. Noise-related operations are categorized as special health hazards. Each year, the Bureau of Labor Insurance provides workers with a free occupational disease prevention health examination. For example, in 2023, approximately 153,000 people applied for hearing tests due to noise levels exceeding 85 decibels. In particular, more than 7% of the hearing loss cases were suspected or confirmed to have been caused by occupational factors. According to data from the occupational disease physician reporting system, about 1,100 hearing loss cases are reported each year, making it the most common hazard in special health hazard operations in the country. 

COAPRE indicated that it will assist businesses in assessing if they are using adequate protective equipment through workplace noise level analysis and field tests. Furthermore, it will apply the technology to guide businesses to implement noise control measures and measure the performance of these measures, thereby ensuring that workers will not be exposed to harmful noise levels. Businesses requiring assistance are welcome to contact the center at 02-85229366 (Occupational Health Service Division).