Tinnitus, also known as ‘ringing in the ears’, typically occurs in the workplace when workers are repeatedly exposed to excessive noise without wearing adequate ear protection. Tinnitus and hearing loss can be debilitating and irreversible, so taking precautions in the workplace now will help to protect against hearing loss later.
To protect yourself, it is important to be aware of the noise levels that can cause hearing loss and to take steps to either avoid or reduce them. According to experts, workplace noise is likely to be hazardous if you have to raise your voice to talk to someone who is an arm’s length away or if your ears are ringing or sounds seem dull after leaving a noisy place.
Experts recommend that workers wear ear protection when regularly exposed to 85 decibels of noise.
Be sure you are consistently wearing hearing loss protective equipment. From earmuffs to simple plugs, there are a variety of options.
Hearing loss usually happens gradually and often goes unnoticed. Be on the lookout for these indicators of hearing loss:
- Straining to understand conversations
- Thinking people are mumbling or not speaking clearly
- Needing to have things repeated frequently
- Watching people’s faces intently when listening
- Increasing television or radio volumes to the point when others complain
- Ringing in the ears or dizziness
A hearing test is the best way to prevent hearing loss. Identifying diminished hearing early can enable you to take further precautions to prevent more significant damage. Workers who are regularly exposed to high levels of noise should have a hearing test annually.
