Your Noisy Job Could Lead to Hearing Loss
Most people know aging can cause hearing loss. But they might not realize that noise—specifically noise exposure at work—can also wreak havoc on their hearing.
Consider These Facts:
- Nearly 22 million workers are currently exposed to potentially damaging noise.
- Nearly 33% of working-age adults with a history of occupational noise exposure have audiometric evidence of noise-induced hearing damage.
- Approximately 16% of noise-exposed workers have material hearing loss.1
How Noise Harms Hearing
Consistent eight-hour exposure to noises above 85 dB while on the job can damage the hair cells in your inner ear, leading to permanent hearing loss.
How do you know if the noise is too loud? Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you have to raise your voice to talk to someone three feet away, the noise is probably over the 85 dB limit and could pose a threat to your hearing.
Who’s Most Vulnerable
Every workplace has the potential to expose its employees to harmful noise levels. However, people in the following occupations are likely at a higher risk for hearing loss:
- Industrial workers
- Construction workers
- Farmers
- Landscapers
- Maintenance crews
- Airport workers
- First responders
- Teachers, including welding and shop teachers
- People in the music or entertainment business
Since hearing loss occurs gradually and isn’t always noticeable, many individuals may not know they have it. That’s why people at risk of hearing loss from loud workplaces need a comprehensive hearing evaluation with a medical professional who can create an individualized treatment plan to maximize their hearing and protect it from further damage.
At Silicon Valley Hearing, our job is to make hearing easy for anyone whose job might be hard on their hearing. If you or someone you love works or has ever worked in a noisy environment, call us today to schedule a hearing evaluation with our skilled and experienced team.
1 Themann, C. et al. (2019). Occupational noise exposure: A review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden. J Acoust Soc Am. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31795665/
