Avoid Work-Related Hearing Loss in 4 Easy Steps

Noise-related hearing loss is one of the most widespread occupational health concerns in the U.S. Nearly 125,000 workers have experienced permanent noise-induced hearing loss related to their job. Fortunately, there are four easy ways to significantly reduce or elimate such hearing loss:

1) Avoid loud noise if possible. If you need to shout over the surrounding noise in order to be heard, it's loud enough to damage your hearing. Power tools and other equipment are common sources of noise so if you need to work in proximity to this machinery, be sure to wear hearing protection as set forth below.

2) If you can't avoid noise, wear hearing protection. Earplugs made of soft, low pressure foam, which easily insert in the ear canal can significantly reduce noise. Earmuffs are also an effective means of reducing sounds. Both earplugs and earmuffs can reduce noise by 15 to 30 decibels.

3) Buy Quiet. Consider replacing older machinery with new tools and equipment designed to reduce worker noise exposure.

4) Quit Somking. Recent research shows a link between tobacco use and hearing loss. So if you aren't a smoker, don't start. But if you are a smoker, now is a great time to quit!