Several doctors published a report on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018 explaining how hearing affects workers during their lifetime.
Across the globe, one in three people have a measurable loss of hearing. “1.1 billion young persons are at risk for hearing loss attributable to noise exposure.” Some of the occupations that place people at risk of hearing loss including manufacturing, construction, and mining. “Loud noises can cause permanent hearing loss through metabolic exhaustion or mechanical destruction of the sensory cells within the cochlea.”
Whether loss of hearing constitutes a disability is based on the worker’s communications needs and ability to perform his/her job tasks. Workers such as police and air traffic control workers need high and middle level frequencies to do their hearing-critical jobs.
Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
“A recent analysis of 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data estimates that approximately 14% of U.S. adults aged 20–69 years (27.7 million persons) have hearing loss. After adjustments for age and sex, hearing impairment was nearly twice as prevalent in men as in women; age, sex, ethnicity, and firearm use were all important risk factors for hearing loss. “
About 22 million workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels at work according to the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The prevalence of hearing loss can be as high as 25% of the workforce depending on the job types. Some sectors such as forestry, agriculture, warehousing, transportation, fishing, hunting, and utility work seem to have benefited from hearing protection where the risk decreased according to comparing studies from 2006-2010 to studies for 1986-1990.
Workers such as firearm and aircraft workers can be exposed to as much as 140 decibels above pressure level (dB SPL). They require noise reduction devices of 30-50 dB. Even though there are occupational guidelines for hearing protection, many workers suffer hearing loss because their earmuffs and earplugs don’t fit properly.
Nonoccupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Insurance companies for the employers may argue that a workers hearing loss is due to non-occupational causes. Recreational hunting, shooting, personal music players, loud noises at concerts, woodworking, and motorsports are known to have high-risk noise levels.
“Persons with normal hearing can detect sounds equally soft at all frequencies. When hearing is damaged by noise, the hearing test will show a loss of acuity in a narrow range of middle to high frequencies (3–6 kHz) with better hearing at both lower and higher frequencies. Often, the earliest sign is a notched configuration in the audiogram.”
Many workers and people with hearing loss due to non-work causes actually think their hearing is excellent or good – which means they’re not aware of their hearing loss. Sadly, while much hearing loss is preventable, many workers and nonworkers fail to take preventive steps. The report states that “70% of persons exposed to loud noise in the past 12 months had seldom or never worn hearing protection.”
Worldwide hearing loss statistics
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 360 million people have a disabling (unable to work) hearing loss. About 328 million adults are affected. 56% of males are affected. “It is estimated that approximately 320 million persons aged >65 years will have hearing loss by 2030 and approximately 500 million by 2050.”
American prevention efforts
The CDC report states that hearing loss programs should go beyond traditional services – such as diagnosis, treatment, and research.” The initiatives should also “focus on epidemiologic surveillance, health promotion, and disease prevention.” This type of approach can lead to better prevention strategies and better ways to manage hearing loss.
One such program is called: Dangerous Decibels. This program has helped people with both hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The program’s three main strategies are:
- Turn it down
- Walk away
- Protect your ears
The program, which began for just youths, now works for adults and members of the military. A study of children in the US, New Zealand, and Brazil affirmed the effectiveness of the program. The program is used in all 50 states, the four US territories, and 41 nations. The program includes online games such as Jolene – a program which measures “music-listening sound levels and aids in educational outreach for hearing health.
The CDC has its own hearing loss and communication products. “NIOSH promotes the Buy Quiet and Quiet-by-Design programs, designed for employers to take an inventory of their potentially harmful loud tools and replace them with quieter ones.” NIOSH also developed the Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention and Innovation Award which recognizes individuals and companies for successful hearing loss programs. In 2015 United Technologies was one of the companies recognized – for reducing the rate of employee exposure to hazardous noise by 80%.
“NIOSH recommends an 85-dB limit for an average daily 8-hour exposure and a 3-dB exchange rate, which means that each increase of 3 dB in exposure level reduces the recommended exposure time by half. Thus, an 88-dB exposure limit is recommended for up to 4 hours and a 91-dB exposure limit for 2 hours.”
Two World Health Organization (WHO) hearing loss initiatives are:
- World Hearing Day. This day is observed on March 3. It aims to increase the awareness of hearing loss amount professionals, communities, and policymakers.
- Make Listening Safe Initiative. This initiative focuses on personal audio systems.
Some of the ways workers can protect themselves for noise include:
- Lowering volumes
- Taking breaks
- Using better quality consumer products
- Reductions in time of exposure to loud noises
- Hearing protection devices which fit properly
North Carolina and Virginia workers’ compensation lawyer Joe Miller Esq. has been fighting for workers who suffer occupational illnesses or workplace accidents for more than 25 years. He works with experienced hearing physicians to verify your inability to work due to hearing loss or your inability and/or your need to use hearing devices for work and for your daily activities. He’ll fight to ensure your hearing loss is fully compensated and the cost for medical care and protective devices is paid. To review your rights with an experienced work injury lawyer, call North Carolina and Virginia lawyer Joe Miller, Esq., at 888-667-8295. or complete my online contact form to or our online case evaluation form to see if you may have a compensable workers compensation claim.
