Occupational Hearing Loss

Prolonged exposure to loud noises, or even brief exposure to very loud noises, can permanently damage the sensory nerves of the inner ear, a condition known as noise-induced hearing loss. Unfortunately, many people are exposed to loud noises on a daily basis due to their nature of their jobs. In the US, a federal law known as the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires employers to minimize such risks to their employees' hearing.

If you have been experiencing increased difficulty understanding others or enjoying audio entertainment, you may be suffering from a hearing impairment. To learn about services and technology that can help you counteract this problem, call HearingPlanet's hearing aid specialists today at 1-800-432-7669.

High Risk Jobs

Noise-induced hearing loss can happen to anyone, but some employees are at an increased risk for this problem due to the nature of their jobs. You may want to learn more about ear protection if you or a loved one works in a field such as:

• Airline work, especially jobs that entail mechanical work on planes or on the landing strip
• Construction jobs, especially if heavy machinery is often used
• Music careers that involve frequently attending concerts
• Agricultural work that involves heavy machinery
• Factory jobs
• The armed forces
• Working in or near emergency response vehicles with loud sirens

If a job requires exposure to sounds above 85 dB, OSHA requires the employer to provide some kind of ear protection to workers. This includes providing education about hearing loss and any equipment required to protect their ears. When these regulations are not followed, employees may suffer permanent damage to their hearing abilities.

Contact a Hearing Aid Professional

If you or a member of your family is suffering from noise-induced hearing loss, HearingPlanet can help you learn more about potential solutions. Contact our hearing aid specialists at 1-800-432-7669.