Workplace Hearing Loss Losing your hearing in the workplace seems to be a phenomenon that people have heard about, and yet many still do not think it applies to them. One of the main components involved in the general refusal to accept that hearing loss is a common problem is the fact that people tend to believe that they will only suffer from a loss of hearing if they are consistently exposed to extremely loud noise levels for extended periods of time. While this would certainly do the trick, many do not realize that hearing loss can actually happen faster than they might have originally thought. If you have ever wondered about workplace hearing loss, read this article to become better educated and to determine whether your hearing is at risk.
How Hearing Loss Works Hearing loss happens because the decibel level (which is a measurement we use to classify the strength of vibrations that travel through the air) is high enough to desensitize and eventually permanently damage the hairs in the inner ear that allow us to identify and differentiate between sounds. Any extremely loud sound can do this, but exposure to lower sound intensities for long periods can also have the same effect.
When Hearing Loss Occurs Decibels (dB) are used to determine how loud a certain sound is. Any sound that is above 80 dB can cause negative effects to your hearing. This includes large trucks driving close by (90dB), using a motorcycle or a snowmobile (95 dB), rock concerts (100 dB), a jackhammer (120 dB), and jet engines (130 dB). Any job that exposes you regularly to these sounds, or any other sounds that might be just as loud, can damage your hearing permanently.
How to Prevent Hearing Loss If you have determined that your job might hold a high risk of hearing damage (airplane maintenance, construction, DJ, farmer, etc), you must take the necessary precautions. Ensure that you always use the mandated ear protection, and know that the Department of Labor requires companies to provide proper hearing protection for their employees. If you feel like this is not being done, speak to your supervisor.
How to Deal with Hearing Loss If you have already suffered hearing loss, there is still hope. Talk with your employer to inquire about the possibility of installing devices to help you succeed at your job despite your hearing loss. For instance, captioned telephone services could help you better understand phone conversations, so determine whether that is a possibility or not. Hearing loss in the workplace is tragic, but treatable. Take all necessary steps to ensure you are protected, but know that there are recourses available should you suffer a loss in your hearing ability.