NOISE MONITORING
NIHL: ACT, BEFORE THE DAMAGE IS DONE
An estimated 20,000 people working during the last year alone suffered from Noise Induced Hearing Loss, NIHL, caused or made worse by work
according to HSE statistics. Tim Turney, Technical Product Manager at Casella, discusses the long lasting impact this condition can have on work
and personal life, and how employers must put monitoring processes in place to help identify the issue.
Action on Hearing Loss reports that there are more than 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss; accounting for a sixth of the population. By 2035, this figure is set to rise, with 15.6million people affected by hearing loss. NIHL was first seen as in issue in an occupational context in the early 1700s, amongst copper workers in Italy.
In the 19th century, Thomas Barr coined the phrase ‘Boilermaker’s Ear’, describing the peculiar series of symptoms felt by shipmakers located on the River Clyde, caused by the impact of metal-on-metal when riveting. Given that the exposure was first acknowledged over 300 years ago, why is this wholly preventable condition still so prevalent in workplaces today?
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AT A LOSS Since the introduction of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations in Great Britain in April 2006, employers have an increased responsibility to protect the hearing of their workers as action levels have lowered.
Though individual experiences vary, the effects tend to begin small, and progress as the hearing loss worsens. For most, it begins with not being able to hear simple sounds clearly – with people in a close proximity sounding as if they are mumbling. Social situations eventually become increasingly difficult and can result in changing relationships with co- workers, managers, friends, and family. Employees with hearing loss are fundamentally more vulnerable in the workplace, unaware of sounds
around them, resulting in safety accidents potentially occurring. The inability to communicate with employers on workplace issues could also eventually impact the likelihood of further training in a role.
Tinnitus, often called ‘ringing in the ears’, is a loud ringing noise that is commonly associated with hearing loss. This annoying buzzing or ringing noise in the ears can eventually disrupt sleep and concentration levels, meaning that the individual is not alert during the day. Unsurprisingly, people suffering with hearing loss faced with such obstacles on a daily basis can suffer from depression as a result.
Perhaps there would be a different attitude to occupational deafness issues if the physical impact was more severe
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