Industry – Risks and prevention of hearing damage

In a busy factory, production is running at full speed. Machines hum, metal parts clatter together and heavy vehicles thunder past. Amid the noise, workers move fast and focused, accustomed to the constant noise that fills their workday. Yet beneath this frenzy lurks a silent danger: the constant noise that comes at them every second of the day. Without adequate protection, this noise can insidiously damage their hearing, resulting in hearing damage.

In this article, we discuss what hearing damage means, its impact and how it can be prevented in the industry. In addition, we provide recommendations on how to use PPE.

What is Hearing damage?

Hearing damage occurs when the hearing organ, particularly the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear, is damaged by prolonged exposure to loud sounds or sudden, extreme sound spikes. Sounds as low as 80 decibels can be harmful and can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or other hearing disorders. This can happen all at once with extremely loud sounds, or gradually, if you listen to loud sounds too often or for too long. (GGD leefomgeving, 2024) Starting at 80 decibels, the employer is required to provide hearing protection, and starting at 85 decibels, the employee is required to wear it.

Risks of Hearing damage in Industry

Hearing damage is one of the most common and underestimated occupational diseases in industrial sectors, such as factories, construction sites, shipyards and manufacturing facilities. Workers in these environments are often exposed to sounds well above safe limits. In many industrial environments, decibels can reach as high as 100 decibels or more – comparable to the sound of a chainsaw or jet engine at a distance. Prolonged exposure to these sound levels without protection can cause permanent hearing damage.

Irreversible

One of the biggest risks of hearing damage is that the process is irreversible. Once the tiny hair cells in the inner ear are damaged by too many or too loud sound waves, they cannot repair themselves. The resulting hearing loss is permanent. It can manifest as difficulty understanding conversations, especially in environments with background noise, constant hearing of a beep (tinnitus), or even complete deafness in one or both ears. Workers often do not notice the deterioration of their hearing until too late because the process is gradual.

Safety risks

Hearing loss in industrial sectors poses significant safety risks. Workers with impaired hearing may miss warning signs, such as approaching machinery or alarm signals, increasing the likelihood of accidents. This can jeopardize not only their own safety, but also that of their colleagues on the shop floor. Reduced alertness due to hearing damage can have serious consequences in these environments, but hearing protection that muffles too much can also pose a danger if it prevents workers from hearing warnings from co-workers or if other signals such as an alarm bell can no longer be heard or cannot be heard adequately.

Prevention of Hearing damage

1. Noise Reduction in the Workplace

• Maintenance of Equipment: Regular maintenance of machines to prevent unnecessary loud noises.
• Design and Planning: Optimizing the workplace so that noisy machines are at a safe distance.

2. PPE

• Hearing protection: Requiring earplugs or ear muffs in noisy areas. These must fit correctly and meet standards for proper attenuation of harmful noise levels.

Our recommendations:

MOLDEX M4 611001 EARMUFF WITH HEADBAND Art. No.: 3.18.611.00	MOLDEX M5 612001 EARMUFF WITH HEADBAND Art. No.: 3.18.612.00	MOLDEX CONTOURS 7400 EARPLUG Art. No.: 3.18.740.00	MOLDEX MELLOWS 760001 EARPLUG Art. No.: 3.18.791.00

• Training and Education: Make workers aware of the risks of hearing damage and the proper use of protective equipment.

3. Monitoring of Noise Levels

• Noise measurements: Measure noise levels regularly to determine if safe noise limits are exceeded.
• Audiometric Testing: Annual hearing tests for employees to detect early signs of hearing loss.

Need help?

Want advice or additional information on which PPE is suitable for working in noisy industrial sectors? Contact us today on T. +31 (0)181 47 50 00. Our enthusiastic team will be happy to tell you more!