NOISE MONITORING & CONTROL
SOUNDING OUT
It is estimated that a staggering 1.3 billion people suffer hearing loss due to noise exposure, while occupational noise exposure causes between 7% and 21% of hearing loss among workers. Here, Professor Chris Barlow, Head of Research and Innovation at KP Acoustics Research Labs, argues that the risks of occupational noise exposure merit greater attention.
Occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is not a new problem. Reports from the 18th century show that copper miners were observed to be suffering from hearing loss, a consequence of constant exposure to the noise generated from hammering metal. Since then, we have at least come a long way, both in our understanding of the problem and in the legal requirements placed on employers.
In the UK, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) requires employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety arising from exposure to noise in the workplace. The regulations, which fall under the legal remit of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), require employers to take specific action when certain values are reached, and determine that specific noise exposure levels must not be exceeded. For example, without hearing protection daily, or weekly exposure levels must not surpass 85dB (A-weighted) and peak sound pressure levels must not exceed 137dB (C-weighted). These levels rise to 87dB (A-weighted) for daily or weekly exposure and 140dB (C-weighted) for peak exposure when hearing protection is taken into account.
“HEARING LOSS CONTRIBUTES TO AN INCREASED RISK OF DEMENTIA AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.”
Similar rules and regulations exist in most developed countries. One thing that motivates employers to comply with the regulations is the potential litigation costs. In the US, for example, it is estimated that annual compensation resulting from ONIHL is approximately $242.2m.
However, the main thing that needs to change to tackle the scale of the problem and the risks it entails is not more regulation and threats of legal action. What needs to happen is a greater awareness of the risks of hearing loss and its full implications, both for the individual and wider society. A scientific consensus about the risks of noise exposure and hearing loss clearly exists, but this has not yet fully translated into greater understanding among employers and employees.
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UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS There are many occupations where a noisy workplace is a potentially significant health and safety issue. Manufacturing and construction are both industries where noise is an obvious concern, but there are other professions where exposure to noise, albeit infrequent, can have serious consequences if mitigative steps are not taken to reduce the risks. In short, it is important to understand that the problem is not limited to one or two industries, but exists anywhere where there is a noisy workplace, from the music industry to airports.
Exposure to noise does not only lead to direct injury to the auditory system, there are also a range of nonauditory effects. Hearing loss itself contributes to other problems such as increased risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease, poorer mental health and reduced outcomes in areas like social integration and even average earnings. As well as the poor outcomes for the individual, the negative impact on society at the aggregate level should also justify greater effort to tackle the problem.
One particularly noteworthy risk associated with hearing loss is the increased likelihood of developing dementia. Older people with mild hearing loss have a twofold increased risk of dementia, while those with severe hearing loss face a fivefold increase. There is also a well-documented correlation between hearing loss and heart disease. Although this is mostly the result of heart problems causing hearing issues, rather than the other way around, there are also studies demonstrating that increased noise exposure raises the risk of cardiovascular problems via its impact on stress levels.
Other significant risks include increased likelihood of developing depression, resulting from communication problems in interpersonal relationships and feelings of isolation. A growing body of scientific literature attests to the nature of the problem, but unfortunately the stigma attached to hearing loss means victims often go many years without reporting the issue.
There are two different types of noise exposure that need to be considered. One is exposure to loud noise over a period of time. Although we are all different,
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