Occupational Hearing Hazards

Occupational Hearing Hazards

In Hearing Loss by Dr. Arica Black, AuD

Dr. Arica Black, AuD

At work, do you sometimes have to raise your voice in order to communicate with someone standing just a few feet away from you? If so, your workplace may be noisy enough to cause damage to your hearing. 

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has issued guidelines that help both employees and employers protect their hearing while on the job.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

We spend a lot of our waking hours at work, and loud workplaces increase one’s risk of developing Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Noise induced hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that is most often permanent and can affect anyone at any age. 

When we are exposed to loud noises for a long period of time (typically years or even decades) the delicate little hair-like cells inside our inner ear can sustain irreversible damage. These tiny little cells play a critical role in our ability to hear; the more damage they sustain the more impacted our hearing becomes. Once these delicate little cells are damaged by hazardous sounds they cannot be repaired, so it is imperative to take proactive measures to consistently protect your hearing while on the job. 

How Loud is Too Loud?

Sound levels are measured using a unit known as decibles (dBA). The higher the decibel level, the higher the volume. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has put together guidelines for levels of safe noise levels – or decibels – in work environments. OSHA requires workplaces to have hearing protection measures in place if the workplace averages 85 dBA or higher over an 8-hour work day. A general rule-of-thumb is if you need to raise your voice to talk to someone three feet away from you, your workplace probably reaches this 85 dBA threshold.

According to OSHA guidelines, it is safe for employees to be exposed to sound levels up to 85 dBA for a period of 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week. For an increase of just three decibels (88 dBA) the exposure limit is cut in half, meaning that it is only safe for 4 hours per day. Each time noise levels are increased by just 3 decibels, the safe exposure time is cut in half.

Here is the amount of time it is safe to be exposed to various noise levels in decibels.

  • 85 dBA – 8 hours per day noise equivalency – busy restaurant
  • 91 dBA – 2 hours per day noise equivalency – garbage disposal
  • 97 dBA – 30 minutes per day noise equivalency – factory machinery
  • 100 dBA – 15 minutes per day noise equivalency – school dance
  • 110 dBA – 1.5 minutes per day noise equivalency – car horn
  • 120 dBA  – 5 seconds per day noise equivalency – football game

Examples of Noisy Workplaces

Some work environments, such as construction, tend to have a higher risk of noise exposure . It would be difficult to argue that operating a jackhammer all day would not be damaging to your hearing. While it is imperative that people in the construction industry protect their hearing, there are a lot of other occupations where hearing protection and volume control should be considered.

Bartenders/Servers – Bartenders (especially those who work in nightclubs) are at a high risk of developing hearing loss at work. On average, night clubs operate a continuous noise level at a piercing 98 decibels.

Preschool & Kindergarten Teachers – We all know that kindergarten and preschool teachers are an absolute gift to this world. What we might not know, is that their job puts these teachers at risk of developing hearing loss. The joyful shrieks of tiny tots can ring in at 84-118 decibels during inside and outside playtime.

Musicians – Musicians rely heavily on their ability to hear to do their job, which is why it is extremely important that they protect their hearing while at work. On average, concerts ring in at a staggering 100 decibels.

Know Your Rights at Work

You have the right to work in a safe environment, and that includes your hearing health. If you are worried about your exposure to noise at work, reach out to your immediate supervisor for support. You are legally required to have access to quality hearing protection provided to you while at work if you work in a loud environment.