Business Insight presented by Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Protecting Your Hearing in Noisy Work Environments There are many steps you can take to protect your hearing at home and in your social life, but working in a noisy environment provides less control. Continued exposure to excessive noise at work can lead to hearing loss and in some cases, tinnitus. If you work in a noisy environment, you should take extra precautions to prevent hearing damage. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work annually. However, they note that most work-related hearing loss is preventable. What is a noisy environment? According to OSHA, any workplace that exposes employees to an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) above 85 dBA must implement a mandatory Hearing Conservation Program. This requires employers to monitor noise, provide free audiometric testing, and offer hearing protection. Some of the leading job sites that can create excessive noise levels include airport tarmacs, construction sites, manufacturing plants, entertainment venues, and even car repair shops. Musicians face increased risk, but not just rock musicians. Members of orchestras and big bands face similar conditions. Landscapers who operate commercial lawnmowers and leaf blowers need hearing protection and venue staff at arenas and stadiums can work within elevated noise levels. Musicians face a heightened risk of tinnitus. Their frequent exposure to loudspeakers and amplifiers puts them at a four times higher likelihood of Marie Vetter-Toalson, Au.D reducing earmuffs are a great place to begin. We also offer custom hearing protection designed for superior comfort and excellent sound quality. These custom-molded solutions are made specifically for your ears, allowing you to clearly hear dialogue and the subtleties of pitch and tone while still protecting your hearing from damaging noise levels. If you are reluctant to try standard ear plugs because they limit your hearing, our custom options are an ideal solution. It is also recommended that you take periodic hearing breaks to give your auditory system relief from constant noise. An important deterrent is to get an annual hearing exam to evaluate any potential hearing loss. Catching loss early leads to much better long-term outcomes. If you work in a noisy environment experiencing noise-induced hearing loss insist on having workplace sound level compared to the general population. Additionally, they are 57 percent more prone to developing tinnitus. Naturally, we recommend hearing protection in these and other loud work environments. Ear plugs and sound- ww Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Ltd. | measurements taken and be sure to ask your employer about protection they will provide. If you have questions about working in a loud environment, or to schedule your annual hearing checkup, give us a call today. Northwest Speech and Hearing Center 1100 W. Central Rd., Ste. 409 Arlington Heights, IL 60005 847-392-2250 Business Insight presented by Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Protecting Your Hearing in Noisy Work Environments There are many steps you can take to protect your hearing at home and in your social life , but working in a noisy environment provides less control . Continued exposure to excessive noise at work can lead to hearing loss and in some cases , tinnitus . If you work in a noisy environment , you should take extra precautions to prevent hearing damage . According to the Center for Disease Control ( CDC ) 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work annually . However , they note that most work - related hearing loss is preventable . What is a noisy environment ? According to OSHA , any workplace that exposes employees to an 8 - hour Time - Weighted Average ( TWA ) above 85 dBA must implement a mandatory Hearing Conservation Program . This requires employers to monitor noise , provide free audiometric testing , and offer hearing protection . Some of the leading job sites that can create excessive noise levels include airport tarmacs , construction sites , manufacturing plants , entertainment venues , and even car repair shops . Musicians face increased risk , but not just rock musicians . Members of orchestras and big bands face similar conditions . Landscapers who operate commercial lawnmowers and leaf blowers need hearing protection and venue staff at arenas and stadiums can work within elevated noise levels . Musicians face a heightened risk of tinnitus . Their frequent exposure to loudspeakers and amplifiers puts them at a four times higher likelihood of Marie Vetter - Toalson , Au.D reducing earmuffs are a great place to begin . We also offer custom hearing protection designed for superior comfort and excellent sound quality . These custom - molded solutions are made specifically for your ears , allowing you to clearly hear dialogue and the subtleties of pitch and tone while still protecting your hearing from damaging noise levels . If you are reluctant to try standard ear plugs because they limit your hearing , our custom options are an ideal solution . It is also recommended that you take periodic hearing breaks to give your auditory system relief from constant noise . An important deterrent is to get an annual hearing exam to evaluate any potential hearing loss . Catching loss early leads to much better long - term outcomes . If you work in a noisy environment experiencing noise - induced hearing loss insist on having workplace sound level compared to the general population . Additionally , they are 57 percent more prone to developing tinnitus . Naturally , we recommend hearing protection in these and other loud work environments . Ear plugs and sound- ww Northwest Speech and Hearing Center Ltd. | measurements taken and be sure to ask your employer about protection they will provide . If you have questions about working in a loud environment , or to schedule your annual hearing checkup , give us a call today . Northwest Speech and Hearing Center 1100 W. Central Rd . , Ste . 409 Arlington Heights , IL 60005 847-392-2250