How Can Work Cause Hearing Loss

How Can Work Cause You Hearing Loss? Everyday workers develop hearing loss due to exposure to excessive noise! Hearing loss can be caused naturally with age but this doesn't ordinarily happen until later life. If you are experiencing hearing loss earlier it is more than likely noise induced. This is caused by exposure to loud noises, usually in the workplace. Noises over 85 decibels can cause Deafness If you have to raise your voice to be heard in conversation over background noise, this is at a level that could damage your hearing. Is the noise intrusive? As noise levels increase, the time that is safe to be exposed to them decreases. Here you can see the different time periods that are safe and legally allowed for different sound decibel levels. 120aB dB 110dB 105GB dB 95 dB dB 3 2 1.5 1 30mirs 15mins 7.5mins Maximum time safe to be exposed (hours) For every 5 dB increase in volume, the maximum exposure time is cut in half. With Noises over 85 decibels able to cause deafness, there are lots of things we are exposed to everyday at home and at work that have the potential to cause Here below shows a range of sound levels and what can reach these hearing loss. Gunshot, fireworks & jet take off 140 dB decibels. 140 dB 130 dB Jack hammer Mp3 Player max volume 115 dB & siren 120 dB 120 dB Rock Drill & 110 dB Concert Chainsaw 105 dB 100 dB 100 dB 90 dB 90 dB Alarm Lawnmower above can cause hearing loss Clock & hair dryer 80 dB 80 dB Vacuum Cleaner & 70 dB Washing Machine 70 dB 60 dB 60 dB TV 55 dB 50 dB Conversation 40 dB 40 dB Rain drops 30 dB Protection Noise control and reduction should be the first action to prevent workers being exposed to excessive noise. Protection should never be used as an alternative to this, only as a short term measure. Protection is required if noise and time exposed will exceed the safe levels E.g. 90 dB for over 8 hours There are two main forms of protection; Ear Plugs These are generally used when the exposure is for an extended period of time. This is due to the comfort they offer but they don't offer the highest level of protection. Ear Muffs These are mostly used for short periods of time as they offer a greater level of protection. They are large and not comfortable so not advisable for long periods of use. Professions that are at risk of hearing loss There are many jobs that can cause hearing loss. Here is a list of some examples, ranging from high to low risk. Demolition Explosions can be 170 dB and Gardener upwards Lawnmowers can reach 90 dB and Dentist chainsaws 100 dB Dental drill can reach up to 100 dB Engineering Riveting gun is 100 dB & Hammering or cutting steel is 95 dB Radiologist A portable x-ray machine is 98 dB Pub / Club workers Loud music played can reach 96 dB Agriculture Tractors are 90 dB, Combine machinery Musician are 95 dB & Grain An orchestra can reach levels of 94 dB Grinding 95 dB Factory Machinery can reach levels of 85 dB plus Atrium Brought to you by www.AtriumLegal.com LEGAL SERVICES CGGEEEG BEGGG How Can Work Cause You Hearing Loss? Everyday workers develop hearing loss due to exposure to excessive noise! Hearing loss can be caused naturally with age but this doesn't ordinarily happen until later life. If you are experiencing hearing loss earlier it is more than likely noise induced. This is caused by exposure to loud noises, usually in the workplace. Noises over 85 decibels can cause Deafness If you have to raise your voice to be heard in conversation over background noise, this is at a level that could damage your hearing. Is the noise intrusive? As noise levels increase, the time that is safe to be exposed to them decreases. Here you can see the different time periods that are safe and legally allowed for different sound decibel levels. 120aB dB 110dB 105GB dB 95 dB dB 3 2 1.5 1 30mirs 15mins 7.5mins Maximum time safe to be exposed (hours) For every 5 dB increase in volume, the maximum exposure time is cut in half. With Noises over 85 decibels able to cause deafness, there are lots of things we are exposed to everyday at home and at work that have the potential to cause Here below shows a range of sound levels and what can reach these hearing loss. Gunshot, fireworks & jet take off 140 dB decibels. 140 dB 130 dB Jack hammer Mp3 Player max volume 115 dB & siren 120 dB 120 dB Rock Drill & 110 dB Concert Chainsaw 105 dB 100 dB 100 dB 90 dB 90 dB Alarm Lawnmower above can cause hearing loss Clock & hair dryer 80 dB 80 dB Vacuum Cleaner & 70 dB Washing Machine 70 dB 60 dB 60 dB TV 55 dB 50 dB Conversation 40 dB 40 dB Rain drops 30 dB Protection Noise control and reduction should be the first action to prevent workers being exposed to excessive noise. Protection should never be used as an alternative to this, only as a short term measure. Protection is required if noise and time exposed will exceed the safe levels E.g. 90 dB for over 8 hours There are two main forms of protection; Ear Plugs These are generally used when the exposure is for an extended period of time. This is due to the comfort they offer but they don't offer the highest level of protection. Ear Muffs These are mostly used for short periods of time as they offer a greater level of protection. They are large and not comfortable so not advisable for long periods of use. Professions that are at risk of hearing loss There are many jobs that can cause hearing loss. Here is a list of some examples, ranging from high to low risk. Demolition Explosions can be 170 dB and Gardener upwards Lawnmowers can reach 90 dB and Dentist chainsaws 100 dB Dental drill can reach up to 100 dB Engineering Riveting gun is 100 dB & Hammering or cutting steel is 95 dB Radiologist A portable x-ray machine is 98 dB Pub / Club workers Loud music played can reach 96 dB Agriculture Tractors are 90 dB, Combine machinery Musician are 95 dB & Grain An orchestra can reach levels of 94 dB Grinding 95 dB Factory Machinery can reach levels of 85 dB plus Atrium Brought to you by www.AtriumLegal.com LEGAL SERVICES CGGEEEG BEGGG