Common Hearing Hazards in the Workplace - Swaram Hearing

Posted by gayathri N on December 21st, 2020

Noise is unwanted sound and like everything unwanted noise is also not desirable. Continuous exposure to loud noise at the workplace creates a lot of hearing hazards. Some of these can lead to temporary hearing loss and some of them can be permanent disasters. Workplace noise can largely impact hearing. More is the noise, severe is the damage. Not only these, but the non-stop loud noise is also intensely disturbing and distracts the workers and employees from their focus, hence reducing productivity in the long run.

Noise Hazards: The Key Sources

The primary sources of unpleasant and undesirable sound at the workplace are mainly due to the use of heavy tools and types of machinery, operation of production lines at factories, incessant use of drilling machines, pneumatic tools, and punching tools, electrical motors, grinders, and drilling of metals and concretes. Moreover, the use of transport for distributing products within the factory often generates disturbing noise. Impact on hearing due to continuous exposure to undesired sound is one of the main forms of occupational hazards, which is on the surge worldwide. In the USA, approximately more than 30 million workers have suffered from such hazards while in Europe more than 30% of the workforce is exposed to such hazards.

 Uses of heavy-duty pieces of machinery, tools, and production lines necessarily produce noise that is not at all soothing to the ears. From construction sites, waste management plants, agricultural units, to manufacturing units and processing units, noise is produced everywhere.

 The use of pneumatic tools or air-powered types of machinery also induce unpleasant sound and can lead to permanent hearing loss and other health menace in the long run. The use of impact devices like rivets, drop hammers and drop forges also create a lot of unpleasant noises.

 Workshops and automobile garages generate huge sound and non-stop exposure may lead to hearing disasters.

 Construction sites are known for a plethora of health hazards and hearing impairment is one of them. Along with respiratory diseases, poor lung conditions, vision problems, and skin allergies; one inevitably suffers from temporary to permanent hearing loss if exposed to construction sites for a prolonged time. The use of grinding machines, pilers, rollers, and cranes generates most of the noise.

 Not only factories and sites; even auditoriums and stadiums are places where people suffer from this hearing hazard. If you are working in the setup of a huge concert or any sporting event; the unceasing exposure Dolby sounds results in occupational hearing hazards.

Indications to Detect this Occupational Hazard

There are certain signs and warnings to help the person or his acquaintance to understand the problem and its severity. Impact on hearing due to exposure to objectionable sound is detected by a continuous ring-like or buzzing sound in the ears, or by difficulty in hearing a doorbell, a telephone ring, or a conversation at the slightest distance. The incapability to hear a high-tone or a soft tone voice, troubles in listening to TV or music, trouble in delivering a speech, responding appropriately, stammering, and incapability in identifying the source of the noise are various probable signs of hearing hazards. Exhaustion, stress and anxiety, and nervousness are also probable signs. People suffering from occupational hearing hazards try to interpret the conversations by reading their lips and feel very annoyed and frustrated when other people fail to understand them properly.

Ways to Overcome Hearing Hazards in the Workplace

Controlling and reducing sounds at workplaces are a primary concern and the management authorities should take adequate measures and steps to execute the same. Employers should show concern towards employee’s health and safety and restrict or modify the use of certain objects that generate maximum noise. Noise limits should be set at 80 dB daily and maximum sound pressure at 135 dB. The first and foremost task is to maintain the machines, repair, and service them so that they don’t generate undesirable sounds. If the machinery, be it any kind is properly maintained, the industrial noise automatically goes down. Tools and equipment that induce the metal-to-metal corrosion should be oiled to reduce the metallic screeching sound. Shift duties and reducing shift hours can control hearing hazards at the workplace.

Another way to reduce unpleasant noise is relocating the machines to an isolated area. If many machines run automatically without any human intervention, the best idea is to displace them to a separate area, away from the main work area. If relocation is a challenge, then the authorities can seclude the machines by building a wall around the machines. In both cases, noises will be reduced largely, reducing the risk of hearing issues at the workplace. Lastly, the best way to deal with an occupational hearing hazard is defense and protection. Use of PPE in the appropriate way, with earmuffs and earplugs, ensures the lessened risk of hearing loss to a large extent.

Occupational hearing hazards are very common everywhere and are upsurging, leading to permanent hearing loss and other speech and neurological issues. One must take adequate safety and protective measures to avoid this menace and to focus on work and augment productivity.