According to the World Health Organisation, over one billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices, and by 2050 almost 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss.
Many of the causes that lead to hearing loss can be avoided through public health strategies and clinical interventions. Effective strategies for reducing hearing loss include occupational hearing conservation programmes for noise and chemical exposure and safe listening strategies for the reduction of exposure to loud sounds in recreational and work settings. In adults, the most common causes of hearing loss, such as exposure to loud sounds and ototoxic medicines, are preventable.
It has been clearly proven that loud noise at work can damage people’s hearing and lead to risks to safety of work colleagues as well as the individual with the impaired hearing. Noise at work can cause hearing damage that is permanent and disabling. This can be hearing loss that is gradual because of exposure to noise over time, but also damage caused by sudden, extremely loud noises. The damage is disabling and can prevent people from effectively doing their job as it can stop people being able to understand speech, keep up with conversations or perform simple office tasks such as using the telephone.
Hearing loss is not the only problem from noise damage. People may develop tinnitus (ringing, whistling, buzzing, or humming in the ears), a distressing condition which can lead to disturbed sleep, anxiety, and depression. Noise at work can interfere with communications and make warnings harder to hear. It can also reduce people’s awareness of their surroundings which is extremely hazardous where heavy machinery or vehicles are present. These issues can lead to safety risks – putting people at risk of injury or death.
Hearing loss through preventable loud or continuous noise is a real health and safety issue in the workplace and you need to make sure you take all reasonable precautions to protect yourself and people you are responsible for. At BS Fixings we offer two products that will help protect you from the effects of loud noise, Economuff Ear Defenders and Ear Plugs . Our ear plugs are made from a soft energy absorbing polymer foam, providing excellent hearing protection. They are comfortable in the ear, moisture resistant and can be cleaned up to three times. Our Economuff Ear Defenders have quick-shift height adjustable earcups providing extra comfort and compatibility for people of different ages and sizes. They are lightweight and comfortable with broad soft black ear cushions.
