Hearing loss is the No. 1 sensory disability in the world, and the World Health Organization estimates that 16 percent of hearing loss worldwide is attributable to occupational noise exposure. To minimize the risk of incurring hearing loss due to noise, it is important for organizations, employers and individuals to understand how they can better protect themselves and their employees from excessive noise in the workplace.
Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can occur from exposure to loud sound. The critical factors are the noise level, measured in decibels (dB), and the duration or how long the sound is heard. As the sound level increases, the length of time that a person safely can listen to the sound decreases. A one-time exposure to an intense, “impulse” sound – like gunfire – or repeated exposures to loud sounds 85 dBA and greater – like working around machinery noise all day – has the potential to rob people of precious hearing or cause permanent ringing in the ears.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites occupational hearing loss as the most commonly recorded occupational illness in manufacturing, and the second-most recorded work-related illness in the United States. Globally, the European Union, Asia and South American countries also list noise-induced hearing loss as one of the most common occupational diseases.
