Call centers. Loud heavy equipment. Sound systems. All of them contribute to hearing loss on the job.
Did you know hearing loss is the most common workplace injury, according to the Center for Disease Control? It can happen to anyone in any industry, but it is most prevalent among manufacturing and industrial workers. In fact, among those industries, hearing loss accounts for one in every nine recordable workplace injuries.
Causes of Hearing Loss at Work
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, hearing loss at work is caused by prolonged exposure to vibration or sound. Some occupations at risk for hearing loss include airline maintenance, farming, construction, sheet metal and assembly line work. Occupations that involve loud machinery – like a jackhammer – also have high risk of exposure.
Treatment for Occupational Hearing Loss
Occupational hearing loss is usually permanent. Treatment includes the use of hearing aids, and using protection like earplugs to prevent further hearing loss and damage.