Noise is an inevitable part of the power and utilities industry. The constant hum of turbines, the roar of engines, and the clanking of machinery can create a deafening soundscape that workers are exposed to on a daily basis. While these sounds may seem like background noise to some, the truth is that they can pose a serious risk to the hearing health of workers. This exposure to extreme noise in the power, energy, and utilities industry is a widespread problem that can lead to irreversible hearing damage, affecting not only the health and well-being of workers but also the productivity and safety of the entire industry.

The steel industry is one of the most developed industries in the world. It is an integral part of the economy and has become a necessary component for many other fields such as construction, automotive and transportation, infrastructure, and machinery. The steel industry also employs over 6 million people, and its growth only continues. Despite the continuous growth of the steel industry, however, steelworkers are regularly suffering from the consequences of not having adequate safety protection, as 33.5% of steelworkers have noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Safety hazards in the oil and gas industry are inevitable. It is a high-risk sector that poses various risks to workers due to the environment and labor work, with a recorded 20 employee deaths in the industry in 2021 (JPT, 2022). Beyond that, an estimated 14% of noise-exposed workers in the oil and gas sector have hearing loss (NIOSH, 2019). Inadequate hearing protection in the oil and gas industry leads to accidents and injuries. Workers who cannot hear warning signals or instructions are at a higher risk of being involved in accidents that can be fatal or have a long-lasting impact. Therefore, to mitigate safety hazards, it is necessary to identify threats and take the right steps to prevent them before it is too late. 

Would you believe it if you were told that about 61% of mining, oil, and gas workers have been exposed to hazardous noise on the job (NIOSH, 2019)? The oil and gas industry is especially a high-risk working environment, where workers are exposed to various hazards daily, including constant exposure to extreme noise. More often than not, oil and gas workers aren't adequately protected. As such, the need for effective intrinsically safe communication and hearing protection devices in the oil and gas industry that support worker compliance cannot be overemphasized.

The paper and pulp industry is one of the largest industries in the world, with the U.S. playing a major role in its market. According to Fortune Business Insights, the North American paper and pulp industry market was valued at USD 64.51 billion in 2022, accounting for nearly 20% of the global paper and pulp market size (Statista, 2023). It is also one of the most dangerous industries globally, as paper dust is highly combustible, leading to the risk of explosions within manufacturing plants. Additionally, there are several other health hazards that can put employees at high risk but can all be mitigated. 

Mining presents many risks to all involved, from the financial and investment level, down to the frontline worker in the mines. In the public's mind, the risk of a mining shaft cave-in far outweighs the risks to physical health over time. When health risks are discussed, it has commonly only been about diseases such as black lung disease. However, according to the CDC, "One out of every four mine workers has a hearing problem. Even worse, four out of five mine workers have a hearing impairment when they reach mid-60s retirement age" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Furthermore, 76% of miners are exposed to hazardous noise daily, which is more than any other major industry.

Industry leaders in every field value the importance of safety for employees and managers. This emphasis on safety is even more important in fields that include extremely high levels of occupational noise exposure, such as mining or oil and gas. However, in these extremely loud environments, traditional methods of hearing protection just don't provide enough noise reduction. That's where double hearing protection (DHP) comes in.