Report: Insufficient action on hearing damage

Hearing Australia has published research indicating that 25 per cent of Australians know someone suffering workplace-related hearing damage, with 11 per cent suffering themselves. Despite this, according to the organisation, one in three people give little thought to protecting their own hearing.

“National Safe Work Month (October) reminds us that we must look after our hearing,” says Hearing Australia Principal Audiologist, Karen Hirschausen. “The National Safe Work Month theme states that safety is everyone’s business – and not just in the workplace; hearing damage can also occur outside work.

“Our research found that more than one in five respondents have either experienced hearing damage from leisure activities or know someone who has.”

Concerning results

Hearing Australia’s national survey also revealed: 

• Only one in four Australians think about hearing protection and use it at work or when undertaking noisy activities during their leisure time
• About a quarter of respondents know someone who has experienced workplace noise-related hearing damage
• Australian women appear to think less about protecting their hearing than men
• Millennials (people in their late 20s to early 40s) appear to be more concerned about their appearance than their hearing, with one in four saying that they’d be too embarrassed to wear earplugs or earmuffs in a loud environment like a concert.

“These statistics are a real concern,” says Hirschausen. “Hearing is such an important sense, but more than 1.1 million Australians are exposed to hazardous noise in their workplace. Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases but it’s also one of the most preventable.”

At-risk businesses

In its Making a noise about hearing report, the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) found high noise levels in workplaces are associated with stress, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue and increased absenteeism. Noise has the potential to cause increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

In addition, the NAL found mitigating noise exposure isn’t a high priority for employers, employees or regulators.

“Small to medium-sized businesses appear to be at greater risk of noise exposure,” Hirschausen says. “Safe Work Australia research found that within SMEs, there’s insufficient knowledge of the effects and the impact of loud noise on people’s hearing and quality of life. There also appears to be little consideration given to the benefits of noise control.”

The main industries at risk of exceeding Australia’s noise exposure standard are mining, manufacturing, construction, farming and the defence force, according to the NAL.

Given their regular exposure to power tools and heavy machinery, many people who work in HVAC&R are also likely to be in the high-risk group.

Sound solutions

Australia has workplace laws stipulating that noise-exposed workers should have their hearing tested when they start work, and then at two-yearly intervals. Hirschausen believes that these laws should be reinforced.

“More broadly, we also encourage people to use smartphone noise apps to track their own noise exposure,” she says. “These apps can be a powerful tool for behavioural change, as you receive real-time feedback if a noise is too loud, so you can adjust your behaviour or the noise. It’s likely to drive greater awareness of sound levels in general.

“If you’re in environments where you’re exposed to loud noise, you should have your hearing checked regularly. And if you have any concerns or experience changes in your hearing, you should also see an audiologist.”

Image courtesy of Hearing Australia.