Is Your Job Putting Your Hearing at Risk?

A noisy workplace isn’t just aggravating — it can be downright hazardous to your health. 

Occupational hearing loss is among the most common work-related illnesses. Noise exposure has long been considered a major occupational hazard for certain industries like construction, mining and manufacturing. Now, research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicates workers from other sectors such as food service, hospitality, healthcare and education are unknowingly putting themselves at risk of hearing loss on the job every day. 

A 2021 NIOSH study analyzed the noise exposure data of adult U.S. workers in 2007 and 2014 and found that more than half (53%) of noise-exposed workers did not consistently use hearing protection devices (HPD) when exposed to dangerous occupational noise. Researchers also found female workers, younger workers (ages 18-25) and smokers had a significantly higher occurrence of not using hearing protection. The study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine used National Interview Surveys to examine hearing protection usage and the noise exposure of nearly 40,000 adult current U.S. workers.

Although occupational hearing loss can be permanent, there are simple ways employers and workers can work together to help protect hearing.

Hearing Risks on the Job

Workers across nearly every industry are at risk of hearing loss. According to NIOSH, over 11% of the working population experiences hearing difficulty, and approximately one out of four cases of worker hearing loss is due to work-related exposures.

Noise exposure can cause hearing loss in two primary ways:

• long-term, continuous exposure to loud sounds over time
• a single exposure to a very high-level pulsating sound

Noise is considered dangerous when it reaches 85 decibels or higher. Repeated overexposure to noise at or above 85 dBA can cause permanent hearing loss, tinnitus and make it difficult to understand speech. Hearing loss has also been associated with several adverse health effects, including cognitive decline and dementia. 

However, noise is not the only workplace risk factor for hearing loss. NIOSH estimates that over 30 million U.S. workers across industries are exposed to chemicals at work that can cause hearing loss regardless of noise exposure.

Research has shown that exposure to chemicals called ototoxicants found in certain pesticides, solvents and pharmaceuticals can negatively impact how your ear functions, causing hearing loss and even balance issues. Hearing loss risks increase when workers like machinists or firefighters are exposed to these hazardous chemicals while working in noisy environments. This type of hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the level of noise, the amount of the chemical and the exposure duration. 

Ototoxicants include:

• Solvents
• Pharmaceuticals
• Asphyxiants
• Nitriles 
• Metals and compounds 

Industries at Risk for Ototoxicants

Industries possibly using ototoxicant chemicals include manufacturing, construction, agriculture, mining and utility companies. Different manufacturing sectors are also at risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals, including:  

• Fabricated metal and machinery
• Textile, apparel and furniture
• Petroleum, chemicals and paints
• Furniture manufacturing
• Electrical equipment, appliances and components (batteries, solar cells)

There is growing concern among health and safety professionals that hearing loss may go underreported for a variety of reasons. For example, audiometric tests can indicate hearing impairments; however, they can't differentiate between noise and chemical causes. Several studies have indicated that ototoxic chemicals like certain solvents may increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss even though workplace noise levels are below OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).

How Employers Can Help

OSHA’s Noise Standard requires employers to reduce noise exposure through a combination of engineering and administrative controls and Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) according to exposure limits specified in Table G-16 and Table G-16A of 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1).

Companies can help workers overcome barriers to hearing protection use by ensuring that all workers have access to hearing protection that is comfortable and safely protects them from noise hazards so that they can hear speech and other important workplace signals.

There are several ways employers can help reduce workplace noise exposure. First, workers should always wear hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs in noisy areas.  It’s also important that workers take regular breaks from noisy activities to help reduce time spent in noisy areas. Installing sound barriers and enclosing noisy areas can help reduce noise levels. Keeping music and other audio volume at a safe level and using quieter, well-lubricated equipment are important administrative controls to help lower workplace noise.

Using non-toxic chemicals and wearing protective clothing can help reduce chemical exposures than can potentially damage hearing. Workers should wear gloves, long sleeves, eye protection, use a respirator or other PPE as needed, and follow all chemical safety instructions.

Additionally, NIOSH provides guidance on strategies to help reduce workplace noise and encourages business owners to create Buy Quiet programs as part of implementing a hearing conservation program. NIOSH provides noise exposure guidelines to help reduce occupational noise-induced hearing loss and recommends using a sound level meter to measure noise levels in the workplace. Sound level meters measure noise levels at a particular time. Noise dosimeters measure an employee’s direct noise exposure over a specific period of time, such as an 8-hour workday. They work by storing sound level measures and then providing an average noise exposure reading.

The information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. No representation is made that the information or references are complete or remain current. This article is not a substitute for review of current applicable government regulations, industry standards, or other standards specific to your business and/or activities and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the applicable standards or consult with an attorney.