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What causes hearing loss in the workplace?
Has your hearing gradually been slipping? If you work in an industry that requires you to be exposed to loud noises – or even just constant noise – throughout your day, your hearing loss may be a workplace injury, not a normal result of aging.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 24% of hearing loss in this country can be attributed to working conditions. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that more than 20,000 workers suffer new hearing loss every year.
How noise exposure in the workplace affects hearing
Noise-induced hearing loss happens when the inner ear’s delicate structure is damaged by the vibrations from noise. These cells in the ear do not regenerate, so any serious damage is permanent. Medical professionals say that exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels (dB) – which is roughly the volume of a food blender or heavy traffic – is considered dangerous over time. The louder the sound, the faster hearing damage can occur.
Some of the industries where workers are most at risk for work-related hearing loss include:
- Manufacturing and construction, since factories, metalworking environments and construction sites all involve loud machinery
- Mining and oil rig jobs, where employees may face exposure to sudden intense noises from large machinery, drilling and explosions
- Agriculture, where workers routinely operate tractors, grain dryers and saws that produce huge levels of noise
- Emergency response, where firefighters, paramedics and police officers are exposed to sirens, gunfire and other loud noises in unpredictable fashions
- Entertainment, where musicians, concert performers and even nightclub staff members are frequently in loud environments where the decibel levels are exceptionally high
Work-related hearing loss can have profound personal and professional consequences. It’s estimated that untreated hearing loss can actually decrease your personal income by as much as $30,000 per year. That makes it critical to get the help you need for your hearing – and workers’ compensation is supposed to be there for you. If you’re having trouble with your hearing-related workers’ compensation claim, it may be time to seek more information about your legal options.