Steps Employers Should Take Towards Hearing Loss Prevention
It is a known fact that most people's hearing worsens as we age. However, aging is not known to impair hearing before the age of sixty. Individuals that do not have noise exposure and are healthy overall, can maintain perfect hearing for a long time. Those that do experience noise exposure and do not take measures to protect their ears will on the other hand begin to suffer hearing loss at a much younger age. The fact is that hearing loss as a result of work related noise is a paramount issue in terms of workplace health and safety. To make matter worse, hearing loss prevention programs could feasibly prevent 100% of work-related hearing loss. Unfortunately, once the damage is incurred, the hearing loss is irreversible and permanent. Thus, hearing loss prevention programs need to be adopted by employers and workers alike to protect hearing. It has been said that as many as 300 million industrial workers have daily exposure to harmful noise levels while on the job, and nine million additional workers are at risk for work-related hearing loss due to other agents such as metals and solvents. Hearing loss caused by noise is the most common work-related injury or disease and research indicates that 44% of carpenters and 48% plumbers report a loss of hearing. Further, 49% of metal or non-metal mining workers will suffer permanent hearing loss by the age of 50, and 70% by the age of 60. Just as any worker anywhere could potentially be at risk for hearing loss due to noise, industries with the highest numbers of workers that are exposed to possible hearing loss include: military, mining, transportation, construction, and manufacturing.
There are steps that employers can and should take to maximize hearing loss prevention programs in their workplace. Dangerous noise levels can be removed through engineering controls such as mufflers or acoustic barriers on specific equipment. This is the first step employers should take as it is the most effective measure in preventing permanent hearing loss. Other programs employers can implement are assessments of noise levels, engineering controls, hearing protection equipment, employee education, and regular employee hearing tests. Hearing protection equipment is a very common and important workplace safety program. Workers that are exposed to loud noises should be given this equipment by their employer at no extra cost. This can be in the form of earplugs or ear muffs. With ear plugs, small plugs are inserted into the ear to cover the ear plug and block the passage of any loud noise. With ear muffs, the same elements are put in place but the protection comes in a muff form attached to a headband. The ear muff effectively covers the entire ear and prevents loud noises from getting into the ear canal. Hearing loss that is caused by excessive noise in the workplace is both irreparable and irreversible and will affect an individual's quality of life for the remainder of their life. It is the responsibility of the employer to implement hearing loss prevention programs in the workplace. |