Noise-induced hearing loss, commonly known as NIHL, often occurs undetected or after it’s too late. NIHL is usually a gradual process in which the deteriorating effects are impacted over a time continuum and are not immediately noticeable. Because NIHL is a permanent infliction and not reversible, once the hearing loss is detected, it is often too late to do anything about it.
Why Occupational Health & Safety Professionals Should be Concerned About Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Unfortunately, noise-induced hearing loss is more common than most people realize. According to the CDC, an average of 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels in the workplace annually. Hearing loss can be caused by several factors (age, illness, etc.), however, the most common impact of these results is exposure to industrial noise. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets a legal limit of 90 decibels (dBA) as the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for noise exposure in the workplace over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). This means the average noise exposure over 8 hours cannot exceed 90 dB(A) while on the job.
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), over 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to noise levels high enough to cause irreversible hearing loss. This exposure comes at a staggering cost to employers. The CDC reports that the compensation for occupational hearing loss for U.S. workers exceeds approximately $242 million annually. In The UK, the British Safety Council estimates that hearing damage from noise exposure at work costs the UK economy around £25 billion annually.
Employers are legally and morally responsible for controlling noise in the workplace and protecting their employees’ hearing. Hearing loss is a serious health and safety issue with significant repercussions, and insurers are inclined to provide compensation for genuine claims. For example, in Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for filing a workers' compensation claim for occupational hearing loss is 12 years from the date of injury or the last day of compensation payment. This includes claims filed by former employees after retirement.
What Causes Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
NIHL is hearing loss that results from damage to the nerve fibers/structures of the inner ear that respond to sound. This damage occurs when the ears are exposed to excessive noise that cannot be surgically corrected, resulting in permanent hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss can result from a one-time exposure to a loud sound blast or impulse or consistent exposure to loud sounds over an extended period. Exposure to any sounds at or above 85 dB(A) can cause NIHL, and the louder the noise, the shorter the time it takes for NIHL to occur.
What Industries Are Most Susceptible to NIHL?
There are several occupations in which noise levels regularly exceed 85 dB(A), which can lead to NIHL. The following industries are some with the loudest noise exposures:
Carpenters
With many tools running at 70 dB(A), carpenters are constantly exposed to loud noises from saws, sanders, drills, hammers, and more in tight quarters. For example, a nail gun creates 110-130 dB(a) of noise depending on how small of a space they operate in. This frequency of loud noise exposure slowly chips away at a carpenter’s hearing the more they are exposed over time.
Commercial Airlines (Ground Crew)
Whether aircraft maintenance workers, baggage handlers, or commercial airline ground control, airline employees are exposed to one of the loudest professions in the world. Jet engines emit sound at approximately 140 dB(A), with some jets even hitting noise levels as high as 190 dB(A).
Construction
Construction workers are exposed to loud noises from a variety of sources. Bulldozers, jackhammers, rivet guns, trucks backing up, dumpsters, and other equipment emit noise levels reaching as high as 120 dB(A). Howard Leight’s Hear Forever initiative found that construction workers in Washington were exposed to noises higher than 85 dB(A) 70% of the time on the job, making these workers easily susceptible to hearing loss.
Data Centers
Data centers are growing exponentially across the world. With large servers, network switches, routers, and air conditioning equipment, these facilities inherently produce high levels of ambient noise that impact employee health and effective communication. Continuous fan and ventilation noises can negatively impact the concentration needed for performing complex cognitive tasks. Most data center environments require data center hearing protection, especially for employees working long shifts.
General Manufacturing
Workers in many manufacturing environments are constantly exposed to loud noises from extremely loud machinery. Some of the processes in manufacturing that produce loud sounds include rollers on assembly lines, cutting and stamping machinery, and milling operations. The noise produced by forklifts, wheeled racks, and trolleys can all have an accumulated impact on workers.
Lumbering and Logging
Chainsaws run at an ear-splitting 91-110 dB(A), leading to potentially damaged hearing. The thicker the tree to cut down, the larger (and louder) the chainsaw needed. The loud noises associated with forestry workers, such as moving logs routinely measuring at 92 dB(A) and using chainsaws, are some of the highest noise exposures, averaging 97-102 DB(A).
Military & Government
The operation of many different vehicles, machines, equipment, and support activities associated with military operations can create significant and harmful noise levels, particularly with long-term exposure. That is why providing personnel with noise-canceling headsets and in-ear solutions is critical to mitigating the serious risk of hearing loss.
Mining
Much like construction workers, miners also experience a variety of high noise levels from equipment such as jackhammers, blasting, drilling, and the movement of large equipment haulers.
Railways
Railway workers performing the routine maintenance and coupling of train cars and rail switching consistently expose themselves to 75-90 dB(a), with peak exposures of 130-140 dB(a) from retarder squeal, the sound of the car’s wheels on the steel rail, and when trains pass by. The accumulation of all this environmental noise is significant enough to wear down workers’ hearing over time.
How to Prevent Industrial Occupational Hearing Loss
Occupational hearing loss (NIHL) can be prevented. Consider some of the following guiding principles:
Understand the impacts and dangers of NIHL. Canceling environmental noise with standard foam earplugs (frequently called "foamies") can mask or reduce noise and protect hearing, but it can also hinder effective communication and diminish situational awareness. This lack of situational awareness can be critical for personal safety, as it may prevent individuals from hearing approaching vehicles or personnel, forklifts, alarms, and other important sounds.
Identify and reduce constant or consistent exposure to the sources of loud sounds in environments that can contribute to hearing loss (such as gas-powered equipment, heavy industrial equipment, power tools, gunfire, loud music, etc.).
Adopt behaviors to protect your employees’ hearing in challenging environments:
- Avoid or limit exposure to loud sounds.
- Move away from sources of loud sounds when possible or erect sound barriers to redistribute the noise.
When it is not feasible to avoid exposure to loud sounds, be sure to provide and implement the wearing approved hearing protection devices (earmuffs, headsets, earplugs, etc.) to reduce the sound level at the ear to a safe level (use Sensear’s Hearing Protection Calculator to guide you in choosing the appropriate level of hearing protection).
In extremely high-noise environments like ground crews, mining, and oil and gas (to name a few), traditional hearing protection may fall short of providing the adequate protection required for Double Hearing Protection (DHP). DHP involves wearing earplugs with earmuffs for noise reduction in environments exceeding 110 dB(A).
Specific industry operations like MSHA require DHP when noise exposure surpasses 105 dB(A), emphasizing the importance of worker safety. The additional noise reduction achieved by DHP significantly mitigates the risk of NIHL and other related damage.
Schedule a hearing evaluation with a licensed audiologist or other qualified professional, especially if you are concerned about potential hearing loss.
As an environmental or occupational health & safety professional, work with your organization to create a hearing conservation plan and mitigate the risks from a NIHL claim or litigation.
Help Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Sensear offers a full portfolio of hearing protection and communication headsets and earplug devices with 360° situational awareness and face-to-face communication capabilities, so you never need to remove your hearing protection while in a high-noise environment.
Talk to a Sensear high-noise communication specialist today about your hearing protection and communication needs!
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