Noise
Every year, millions of people in the United States are exposed to hazardous noise at work.
Typical Sound Levels
Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for many years.
Exposure to high levels of noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Neither surgery nor a hearing aid can help correct this type of hearing loss. Short term exposure to loud noise can also cause a temporary change in hearing (your ears may feel stuffed up) or a ringing in your ears (tinnitus).
These short-term problems may go away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noisy area. However, repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
Loud noise can also create physical and psychological stress, reduce productivity, interfere with communication and concentration, and contribute to workplace accidents and injuries by making it difficult to hear warning signals. Noise-induced hearing loss limits your ability to hear high frequency sounds, understand speech, and seriously impairs your ability to communicate. The effects of hearing loss can be profound, as hearing loss can interfere with your ability to enjoy socializing with friends, playing with your children or grandchildren, or participating in other social activities you enjoy, and can lead to psychological and social isolation.
Anatomy of Inner Ear
In the middle ear three small bones called the malleus (or hammer), the incus (or anvil), and the stapes (or stirrup amplify and transmit the vibrations generated by the sound to the inner ear.
The inner ear contains a snail-like structure called the cochlea which is filled with fluid and lined with cells with very fine hairs (stereocilia). These microscopic hairs move with the vibrations and convert the sound waves into nerve impulses sent to the brain through the auditory nerve. The result is the sound we hear. Exposure to loud noise can destroy these hair cells and cause hearing loss.
Warning Signs of Noisy Workplace
Noise may be a problem in your workplace if:
- You hear ringing or humming in your ears when you leave work.
- You have to shout to be heard by a coworker an arm's length away.
- You experience temporary hearing loss when leaving work.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-3. Jack is leaving work and he hears ringing in his ears which is a sign he may be suffering from _____.
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