person’s susceptibility to NIHL, some people are more genetically predisposed to suffer damage to their ears as a result of exposure to noise, just like some people will be more affected by an agerelated hearing loss than others. The intensity (or volume) of noise is measured in decibels (dB) and intensities of 85dB and greater have the potential to cause harm. Refer to the chart for examples of noise in the workplace. Every time you are exposed to loud noise, permanent damage to the ear can result. Damage is cumulative and so each exposure to hazardous levels of sound adds to any existing injury to the ear. The good news is that hearing impairment from noise exposure is almost 100% preventable.
The Hidden Hazard In Your Workplace Do You, Or Someone You Know, Work In Noise?
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xposure to loud sounds is the #1 preventable cause of hearing loss! Those at risk are people that work in construction, mills, manufacturing, bars and restaurants, drivers, musicians, military personnel and anyone who uses power tools, loud equipment or firearms. Recreationally, listening to music through headphones, using powered garden tools or recreational motor vehicles can all present hazardous levels of sound as well. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is permanent hearing loss that results from exposure to sound that is loud enough to cause damage to our ears. Hazardous noise is the second most common cause of hearing loss after aging, and both can be present in the same person. The damage potential is influenced by both the volume of the noise and the length of time you are exposed to it. The louder the sound the quicker it causes damage. NIHL typically affects men more than women simply because, at least historically, men are more likely to work (or play) in an environment that has hazardous noise levels. Heredity also plays a part in a
The methods we use to reduce exposure to hazardous noise are, in order of effectiveness, as follows: • Elimination – physically remove the hazard • Substitution – Replace the hazard with a quieter alternative • Engineering controls – make physical modifications to reduce the hazard • Administrative controls – change the way people work to reduce exposure • PPE – properly use good quality hearing protection
Jet takeoff, gunshot
120 to 140 dB
Chainsaw, boiler room, sandblasting, excavator
100 to 120 dB
Power tools, manufacturing plant, pneumatic drill, skill saw
90 to 100 dB
Busy restaurant or kitchen, computer server room
75 to 90 dB
City traffic, office equipment, cell phone
70 to 80 dB
Normal conversation
50 to 70 dB
NIHL is a high frequency hearing loss that worsens gradually over time due to a variety of factors. This means it can be hard to detect. Some signs to look out for include: • thinking that people mumble more than they used to • the TV volume is louder than others would like • you can’t hear on the phone • you ask people to repeat often • being in a group or in background noise makes conversation very difficult • you have tinnitus or ringing in the ears • you sometimes withdraw from conversation • you avoid social situations If you feel you may have a hearing loss of any kind, it is a good idea to get your hearing properly evaluated. During your hearing test appointment your clinician will discuss any medical history relating to your ears and your hearing, will perform a comprehensive hearing assessment, and
will help you understand the results of your test and how, if necessary, to address any communication issues you may be having. At the very least you will have a useful baseline that any future hearing tests can be compared to. It is always important to remember that preventing a hearing loss is far better than treating a hearing loss. Hearing protection is one way to protect yourself from NIHL. There are many kinds of hearing protection available from the inexpensive foam plugs available at your pharmacy, ear muffs from a hardware store, or custom hearing protection from a hearing health clinic. If you are in doubt, make an appointment to see a hearing specialist to discuss which options will best suit your needs.
Terence Miranda is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Resonance Hearing Clinic
Worker’s hearing should also be tested regularly to ensure that noise in the workplace is not affecting their hearing. New hires should have a baseline hearing test within six months of starting a position in a potentially hazardous environment and after that they should have annual hearing tests to track any hearing decline that may occur.
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