Hearing Loss

National Safety Month

See if your hearing may be at risk and what you can do to protect it.

Last update on Jun, 01, 2023

June is National Safety Month, organized by the National Safety Council, and it focuses on the protecting lives and preventing injuries in the workplace and the world beyond its’ boundaries [1]. This month helps to raise awareness about the many jobs that may put employees at risk for hearing loss if they do not protect their hearing in the workplace.

Senior man handling a metal sheet wearing earmuffs

Common professions at risk

Here are some common professions that are at risk for hearing loss and how you can protect hearing in the workplace.

Construction Workers

The everyday tools used like a jackhammer or power drill has decibel levels ranging from 90 to 130 dB. Any noise level over 85dB has the power to damage, so construction workers are at risk of hearing loss every day. Working outside can help lessen the possible damage from loud tools and machinery but hearing protection such as ear plugs, or earmuffs are a necessity on the construction site.

Factory Workers

Factory workers constantly complain of extreme amounts of noise from the loud machinery to the huge fans continuously running throughout the day. Due to the dangerous noise levels, workers should not only wear ear plugs but silencer equipment and enclosures around loud machinery will assist to reduce the noise levels present.

Dental Workers

Dentists who do a lot of drilling run the risk of having high-frequency hearing loss. The drill sound is intense, and they’re very close to it as they work on their patients. Both dentists and their assistants should wear hearing protection during procedures requiring drilling. It could be a good idea as the patient too.

Military

Did you know that the most common military service-related injury is hearing loss and tinnitus? The military has been working on implementing hearing conservation programs for decades to help the over 60% of veterans that come home with some level of hearing loss. Damage to your hearing can be caused by sudden loud noises like loud explosions, the roar of airplane or ship engines, or even gunfire.

Airport Workers

Airport worker’s hearing are always at risk as they are constantly exposed to loud machinery including engines, generators, and compressors. Did you know a jet plane taking off’s sound levels reach over 140 dB? That is why tarmac workers especially should wear ear plugs or earmuffs to protect their hearing.

Musicians

If you are playing music or work in the music industry where you are involved in music production or live shows, you should wear hearing protection. Drum’s sound levels easily reach over 100 dB, meaning only listening to them for a few minutes without hearing protection can cause damage to your hearing. Ear plugs or earmuffs are a must when it comes to listening to live music, but if you are listening to music on your phone or laptop, noise cancelling headphones will help you listen to music at safe levels.

Hearing protection

If you are exposed to dangerous levels of sound at work (or at home), it's important to protect your ears from damage by wearing hearing protection. Below is a list of each type of hearing protection and the pros and cons to each. Use it as your handy guide to selecting the hearing protection that's right for you.

Disposable earplugs

These are usually made of a pliable foam that are rolled by hand into a thin tube then placed in the ear canal that then expand to seal off the ear.

Pros

Affordable
Easy to find online and in stores
Ready for use (no custom or medical fitting required)
No maintenance (throw away after use)

Cons

Need to be rolled and placed correctly to ensure proper seal
Must clean hands before handling them to avoid dirt or germs from getting in the canal
Need to be replaced after each use (soft foam retains the oil and dirt in canal
Must purchase more to restock supply

Reusable earplugs

These are made of a pre-molded flexible silicone or rubber that are usually flanged or cone-shaped. There are a variety of sizes to fit different wearers and some are joined by a cord or headband.

Pros

Variety of sizes
Reusable (just need to wash)
Easy to insert and remove

Cons

Maintenance required (wash, rinse, fully dry)
Unable to expand or mold to ear
Need to replace periodically

Earmuffs

Earmuffs look similar to stereo headphones; they completely cover the outer ear. The cushions in the muffs are usually filled with a foam or liquid and are connected by a headband that adjusts to fit the wearer.

Pros

Reusable
Covers ears instead of feeling “plugged up” by ear plugs
Variety of sizes and styles
Ready to wear (no custom or medical fitting)
Can be combined with earplugs for additional protection
Some have Bluetooth technology

Cons

May feel hot and heavy over time
Maintenance (cleaned and aired out)
Equipment such as helmets, hats, or glasses can break proper seal
Less portable
More expensive

Custom molded earplugs

These are a perfect balance of comfort and proper sound protection because they are custom made for the wearer. While the initial purchase is more expensive, they are specifically made to fit the unique shape of your ear canal and last several years.

Pros

Extremely comfortable
Work for several years
Easy to create proper seal due to custom fit
Variety of styles for different activities

Cons

Higher initial investment
Require custom mold fitting
Maintenance (routine cleaning)

Virtual Hearing Assessment

Hearing loss is more prevalent than you may think. Learn how noise may have impacted your hearing by requesting a virtual hearing assessment to see if you should seek treatment from a professional.

Check your hearing

[1] https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/get-involved/national-safety-month