10 Things You Must Know About Noise Exposure

10 Things You Must Know About Noise Exposure

Several people suffer due to excessive noise exposure. Many people are unaware of the dangers of occupational noise so they tend to neglect the necessary precautionary measures as well.  Below are some information on the risks involved with occupational noise exposure to enable you prevent this irreversible damage.

1.  Hearing Loss

Unfortunately, hearing loss is one of the greatest occupational health issues of late. Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible, and this limits an individual’s ability to hear as well as understand speech. Over exposure to high frequency noise even seriously impair or deafen some individuals.

2.  Social Implications

Noise-induced hearing loss could extend beyond the injured individual’s occupational environment. Partial or total loss of hearing would definitely interfere with the way a person or an individual interacts with family and friends. In the long run this could lead to social isolation.

3.  Psychological Effects

Excessive noises have the potential to increase stress especially the psychological ones. The most common psychological effect being that of annoyance. By definition, annoyance is any offense interfering with someone’s thoughts, feelings, space or activities. Noise-based annoyance may lead to resentment, disapproval, distress and dissatisfaction causing several impacts.

4.  Negative Effects

Noise induced hearing loss could lead to negative attitude of the affected person. The person becomes agitated, repulsive, arguing at every opportunity thereby reducing productivity

5.  Communication Interference

Communication is a vital aspect of any occupation and it is often seen as a vital hub of production. Having hearing in a business or an establishment could be very damaging. There is therefore the need for adequate hearing protection in a noisy environment to reduce interference and enhance positive and clear communication.

6.  Hearing Loss Threats

We all know that the ear is a delicate mechanism not suited to high noise exposures. The cochlea situated in the inner ear is lined with very fine hairs. This makes exposure to loud noise capable of destroying these hair cells, which eventually results in hearing damage, impairment or hearing loss.

7.  Sleep Disturbance

Research has shown that excessive exposure to dangerously noise levels can result in sleep disturbance and distortion. Lack of restful sleep may increase inaccuracy and results in a higher number of on-the-job mistakes, near-misses and accidents.

8.  Decreased Safety Awareness

The use of inadequate and improper hearing protection can reduce an employee’s ability to properly monitor their surrounding work environment. Workers who are most times deafened by high-noise workplaces may ignore or warning signals or equipment sounds which leads to additional risk of workplace injuries.

9.  Concentration Interference

Lack of concentration can be highly increased in excessively noisy situations. Over stimulation or high attenuation may prevent individuals from performing at their maximum potential, thereby leading to overall employer and employee job dissatisfaction.

10.            Decreased Productivity

In any work environment where awareness, communication and concentration are hampered, productivity levels will ultimately suffer. Productivity is the main goal of every occupational or work site; any issues interfering with maximum productivity should be eliminated.    

Based on the few information given above, employers and employees must take adequate precautions to protect themselves against this irreversible illness called occupational noise induced hearing loss. Employers must make adequate provision for Personal Protective Equipment suitable to the work site, be it earplug, ear muff or any earing protection considered legally required by the worker. Have in mind the litigation that could follow this incident.

Employees must make adequate use of Personal Protective Equipment so provided by the employer and use them correctly too. They must insist on doing the job the best and the safest way so that when they have retired, they would still be able to listen and hear their loved ones and grandchildren.

Safety isn't expensive, paying out for worker compensation is expensive