Noise at Work
Every day, millions of people are exposed to dangerous noise levels on the job. Over time, these loud sounds can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, which can affect your quality of life and job performance. But you can take steps to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. If you work in a noisy environment, it is important to understand your risk and learn how to protect your hearing.
Who's At Risk?
Many jobs involve sustained or sudden loud noises. You may be at risk of noise-induced hearing loss if you work in a career such as:
- firefighter or first responder
- military service member
- subway or transit worker
- construction or demolition worker
- musician or audio technician
- factory or assembly line worker
- heavy equipment operator
Regular exposure to noise levels greater than 85 decibels (dB)—about as loud as heavy city traffic—could damage your hearing. Exposure to impulse noises from loud blasts or explosions could also be dangerous. If you are exposed to noises like this at work, you will want to get your hearing checked regularly and use hearing protection to reduce your risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
The louder the sound, the less time it takes to damage your hearing. Here are some examples of loud sounds:
- 85 dB or louder: heavy machinery
- 100 dB or louder: chainsaw, music concert
- 120 dB or louder: siren at close range
Even if the noise is not constant, repeated exposure can cause damage to your hearing over time. Noise-induced hearing loss may develop gradually and go unnoticed until the damage is irreversible.
Federal Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that sets workplace safety rules. These rules include hearing protection and conservation. OSHA describes hearing conservation programs that include the following:
- noise monitoring to measure sound levels and determine the level of hearing protection workers need
- regular hearing testing for all employees (i.e., yearly).
- employee training and education on how to use hearing protection
- properly fitted hearing protection such as earplugs or noise-cancelling earmuffs provided to employees
- recordkeeping on these activities
What To Do If You Suspect Job-related Hearing Loss
If you think you may have noise-induced hearing loss related to your job, don’t delay. Report any signs of hearing loss to your employer. See an audiologist, who can assess your hearing and provide recommendations.
To find an audiologist near you, visit ProFind.
Resources
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ASHA ProFind is your connection to over 30,000 ASHA-certified audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Find the right professional for your needs.
Search Now