October 17, 2023

Tips for protecting your ears from noise exposure

Of all the potential workplace hazards, one that’s often overlooked is noise. Although it’s invisible, its effects can be devastating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in the country. In fact, about 40 million adults between the ages of 20 and 69 have noise-induced hearing loss. In recognition of National Protect Your Hearing Month, we’re spreading awareness and sharing tips for minimizing noise exposure while working.

Noise exposure can permanently damage hearing. There are numerous loud operations throughout various workplaces, but their effects can be minimized if effective control measures are taken. All employees should be able to recognize when noise levels are too loud and understand how to protect themselves.

How loud is too loud?

As a general rule of thumb, if you have to raise your voice above a normal speaking level to be heard, your environment is too loud. Noise above 70 decibels (dB) over a prolonged amount of time can start to damage your hearing while noises above 120 dB can cause immediate harm.

If over the course of an eight-hour workday an employee is exposed to an average noise level of 85 dB or more, an effective hearing conservation program must be implemented to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.

Recognize the symptoms of hearing loss

Typically, noise exposure is so gradual you may not realize there’s an issue until it’s too late. It’s important to be aware of possible symptoms such as difficulty understanding speech when there is background noise, inability to hear a television or radio at normal volumes or experiencing a ringing or hissing sound in your ears. It’s best practice to get your hearing examined annually and avoid risk factors like smoking.

Diminish the hazard and exposure

The best results for minimizing noise and exposure come from implementing multiple controls.

• Decrease noise levels by using quieter equipment with built-in noise dampening controls.
• Employees should rotate between workstations to avoid constant exposure for long periods of time.
• Move noisy equipment to remote areas of the site where less employees are present.
• Block noise by erecting temporary barriers whenever possible.
• Personal hearing protection such as earmuffs and earplugs should be used when exposure can’t be reduced to safe levels.

When personal protective equipment is necessary, employers are responsible for providing the equipment and training employees on its use.

Hearing loss is completely preventable. Take the steps today to protect your workforce and find more helpful resources in our Safety and employer resources catalog, exclusively for Texas Mutual policyholders. You can also contact our safety services support center for assistance at safety@texasmutual.com or 844-WORKSAFE (967-5723).