Most Hearing Loss Can Be Prevented:
Steps to Protect Your Hearing

Hearing loss is one of the most pervasive occupational health problems in America today. Millions of workers are exposed on their jobs to noise levels that are potentially hazardous to their hearing. Fortunately, noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented, through the consistent use of hearing protection devices.

With the disciplined use of hearing protection, people are spared disabling hearing impairments and evidence suggests that they may experience less fatigue and generally better health.

Benefits to you

The most obvious benefit to wearing ear protection is that it saves your hearing and ability to communicate. Because noise-induced hearing loss usually creeps up slowly, many individuals are unaware of their impairment until it is too late. Moreover, this hearing loss represents permanent damage that cannot be restored through medical/surgical treatment.

Another benefit reported by people in organizations with effective hearing loss prevention programs is that they generally feel better; less tired and irritable. They sometimes report that they sleep better at night, and they are no longer bothered by temporary reductions in hearing ability at the end of the day, or by the tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that often accompanies the development of noise-induced hearing loss. There is also evidence that long-term noise exposure may contribute to stress-related disease, especially cardiovascular disease. By reducing noise, the chances of other health impairments are consequently controlled and reduced.

Noise reduction and maintenance of hearing sensitivity can benefit safety because people are better able to communicate, and to hear alarms and warning shouts. Good hearing is essential for more subtle warning signals, such as a malfunctioning machine or changes in the ambient sound environment in the field.

In summary, diligence in hearing protection is consistent with good health and mission effectiveness. At a minimum, you benefit with good hearing. Reductions in noise exposure may also result in less fatigue and irritation, and possibly fewer stress-related health complaints. Reduced noise exposures also can be associated with improved morale, and, in some cases, higher efficiency.

Your Responsibilities

Ultimately, each individual must make efforts to be fully informed, to obtain help when necessary, and to assume responsibility for wearing their hearing protectors. Everyone must consciously develop personal habits and strategies for wearing their hearing protection. Otherwise, it becomes too easy to succumb to the constant barrage of opportunities to misuse personal hearing protectors, thereby risking exposure to harmful levels of noise.

Select your hearing protection device appropriately for the level of noise. There may be instances when multiple devices are required, such as the use of foam earplugs AND earmuffs near some operating jet engines.

Proper utilization of personal hearing protection has a critical impact on hearing loss prevention. Recognize the importance of wearing your hearing protector whenever you are exposed to hazardous noise. Removing a hearing protector for only a few minutes can dramatically reduce its effectiveness.

To achieve the maximum benefit, make sure to wear hearing protectors correctly. The differences between the maximum protection theoretically possible, and the protection usually obtained in the "real world" are influenced by many factors. Failure to correctly insert an earplug or adjust an earmuff, are arguably the chief culprits responsible for diminished real world hearing protection. Thus, even when issued a correctly-sized hearing protector, and trained in its use and care, it is quite possible you could receive little or no effective hearing protection because of faulty fit. Resolve to wear hearing protection correctly or risk the ability to prevent harmful noise from damaging your hearing.

Part of your responsibility toward wearing hearing protection is to cultivate a vigilant attitude. Expect your hearing protectors to slip or work lose over a period of time. Periodically check to see if earplugs or earmuffs need to be readjusted to maintain a reliable fit.

Hearing protectors break and become worn. Check your protector regularly and seek repair or replacement whenever necessary. Lastly, encourage others to use hearing protection and to seek help when they have problems.

Guard against acquiring a false sense of safety. You CAN prevail over most hearing health hazards if you:

1. Properly wear hearing protectors



2. Exercise a commitment to wear hearing protectors consistently, and



3. Maintain hearing protectors by repairing or replacing them when necessary.

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