It’s difficult to understand a number like 26 million. Imagine a packed Vegas Motor Speedway stadium – about 140,000 people. Now imagine 185 of these packed stadiums and you’re getting closer to 26 million. This is the shocking number of American adults between the ages of 20-69 who are estimated to have hearing loss due to excess noise exposure at work or at play.
How Loud is Too Loud?
According to the United States Department of Labor, noise levels are measured in units of sound pressure called decibels. These decibels are written as a number and “dBA”. A soft whisper is about 30dBA and a rock concert is about 100dBA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has created guidelines regarding safe noise exposure limits for a worker’s 8-hour day. NIOSH asserts that a person is at-risk of excess noise exposure if they are exposed to 85dBA for 8 or more hours per day. To put that into perspective, 85dBA is about as noisy as busy city traffic. As the decibels increase, the amount of time workers can be exposed decreases. For every increase of only 3dBA, the allowed exposure time is cut in half. At just 90dBA – about the sound of a gas mower – only 2 hours and 15 minutes are permitted daily. This does not need to be continuous exposure either. It can be in increments of only a few minutes at a time but if it adds up to more than the maximum daily allotment, it is cause for concern. For extremely loud sounds such as an airplane takeoff (about 135dBA) it is recommended that workers be exposed for less than 1 minute total in a day.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Certain occupations are more at-risk for hearing hazards than others, with workers in manufacturing being most in danger. In 2007, 82% of cases involving occupational hearing loss were reported amongst workers in this field. Airline controllers, construction workers, auto mechanics, miners and bartenders are also at higher risk of occupational hearing loss. Workplaces vary greatly with sound exposure so a good rule of thumb for measure is if you need to shout in order to have a conversation at work, you are probably at risk of noise exposure that could lead to hearing loss. Other warning signs include hearing a ringing or humming in your ears or experiencing temporary hearing loss after leaving work.
What Can I Do?
You have a right to safe working conditions. In 1981, OSHA implemented laws requiring all workplaces that expose workers to dangerous noise levels according to the NOISH guidelines implement a Hearing Conservation Program for their employees. These programs require employers to provide training, monitor noise levels, implement noise-reducing safeguards, and provide hearing exams and protective equipment free-of-cost. Talk to your employer about your company’s Hearing Conservation Program and take protective measures on your own such as wearing earplugs and getting regular hearing screenings. It is also important to be aware of the warning signs and avoid extremely loud recreational activities when not at work, to avoid unnecessary additional damage.