How Noisy Workplaces are Causing Hearing Loss

Perhaps you love going off to your job each day, as it provides many fulfilling experiences in your life. You probably don’t think of the effect your work environment has on your hearing, though. Certain occupations carry with them the potential for hearing loss over time due to the loud noises that occur on a daily basis. This is a growing concern as a common form of workplace injury for those immersed in a noisy environment consistently. Let’s take a look at the dangers these jobs pose to the health of your ears. You can avoid permanent damage by taking a few simple precautions.

Construction

Contractors immerse themselves in loud environments every day, thanks to all the hammering, sawing, machines and trucks that are part and parcel of a construction site. Construction workers expose themselves to acute noise trauma daily without even knowing it, so it would be wise for them to put on ear plugs or noise dampening headphones for safety.

Farming

While easily one of the most gratifying jobs to have, farming requires the daily use of loud machines and equipment that typically meet at least 85 decibels of sound – enough to cause hearing loss. Even though farmers get immense satisfaction knowing they are helping people by growing healthy crops, they often set themselves up for hearing loss.

Mining

Mining, a dangerous job any way you slice it, provides real value to everyone. Miners not only provide us with important raw materials, they also provide us with the fuel we need to heat our homes and drive our cars. Unfortunately, the loud noises coming from the heavy equipment underground, compounded by the confined space, can trigger hearing damage in workers.

Military

Offering some of the noisiest work environments around, the military features loud noises in the form of construction, explosives, tanks and artillery. This can lead to high rates of hearing loss in those within the armed forces. You up this risk when you add in the sounds of daily weapons training and exposure to heavy machines. Unfortunately, a high number of returning veterans come home with acoustic trauma, a type of hearing impairment.

Ground Workers at Airports

Airports are loud even for those in the building. Ground workers have to direct planes and jets out on the runway, and therefore must wear protective ear wear to guard again severe hearing damage. The jumbo jet noise on the runway can get up to about 160 decibels, which is double the accepted rate of 85. Over 85, and hearing loss starts to occur. Those in the commercial and military plane services industries are at an even higher risk.

Club Employee

You may not think about it much, but the individuals who work in nightclubs aren’t having nearly as much fun as the patrons are. First off, they’re there to do a job, and second, that job happens to have a lot of loud noises attached to it, from yelling to ear-splitting music. DJs, bouncers, bartenders and waitresses in particular suffer from an increased risk of hearing damage.