The CDC estimates that around 22 million people every year are exposed to workplace hearing hazards that could affect their hearing ability. In fact, hearing loss due to occupational noise is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. Dr. Nikki, an audiologist in Omaha, says that the good news is, almost all hearing loss that is caused from workplace hearing hazards are preventable!

Here are some common jobs that have hearing risks associated with them:

Manufacturing jobs

Most pieces of large manufacturer equipment come with a moderate amount of noise. The machines used to produce or process different materials may be efficient, but they are often very loud. Many employers will have their own protocols and rules regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), but it is important to follow them to protect your ears. Dr. Nikki, an audiologist in Omaha, says that if you are concerned that those protocols are not enough, you might consider bringing your own ear protection. Custom ear protection is often preferred due to comfort and the custom sound seal that can be obtained.

Construction jobs

Construction sites, apart from the other safety hazards they pose, also pose unsafe hearing hazards. From jackhammers to heavy machinery and even handheld tools, construction sites have a plethora of items that produce unsafe hearing levels. 85 decibels of sound is the recommended occupational limit to protect workers, however, there are some construction tools that can reach 120 decibels!  Due to the hazards of construction sites, filtered custom ear protection is often recommended so workers can safely communicate while also protecting their ears.

Entertainment jobs

While going to a concert is a lot of fun, it can also cause a lot of damage to your hearing! It is important to follow tips to protect your hearing like letting your ears rest in order to best enjoy entertainment situations that are loud. However, professional musicians, producers, bartenders, and waitresses at nightclubs do not have the luxury of letting their ears take a break. The typical noise in a club can average out to almost 100 decibels, which might not permanently damage the ears of someone who occasionally goes out, but can create a potential problem for employees who are exposed to it every night. This is another field where filtered ear protection is extremely valuable as it allows speech to pass safely to the ears but blocks harmful noise.

Aviation jobs

Anyone who works outside at an airport terminal should go to great lengths to protect their hearing. The jet engine is one of the greatest and loudest auditory hazards in a workplace and can cause serious damage when not taken seriously. Since jet engines can reach dangerous decibel levels, many airports will supply PPE and are strict in their requirements that all personnel wear it. However, it will be extra important that aviation workers not only wear their ear protection but also regularly schedule hearing tests with an audiologist to make sure your protection is sufficient.

These are the most common workplace hearing hazards, but there are others. Even those not in the above job fields should take caution and protect their hearing whenever they are exposed to loud noises. Dr. Nikki, an audiologist in Omaha, says some signs to watch out for include: ringing in your ears, having to shout to a coworker only an arm’s length away, and temporary hearing loss when you leave work.

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