Hearing Protection All ears when it comes to safety Noise-induced hearing loss is still one of the most common occupational hazards of all. It develops painlessly, is progressive and generally goes unnoticed. It is the fact that it’s irreversible which makes it so serious. The risk to hearing and the importance of hearing protection are often recognised too late. Only those who suffer from hearing loss really understand just how essential a good sense of hearing is and that protecting it should be a top priority. What is noise? Loud sounds which comprise noise not only pose a risk to hearing but can also be distracting and debilitating. Persistent low-grade sounds such as a clock ticking or a dripping tap can also affect concentration levels. What are the consequences of noise? We use our hearing continuously, it never gets a break and cannot be “switched off”. We are exposed to noise every day, all day, from multiple sources so our hearing is under constant stress. These daily demands on our ears can lead to irreversible noise-induced hearing loss. But, it’s not just our hearing that is affected; noise means stress for the entire body. Noise affects us subconsciously and can lead to difficulty concentrating, gastrointestinal illness, elevated blood pressure and increased risk of a heart attack. Adverse health effects caused by harmful noise levels Listed below are the maximum periods of time a person should be exposed to harmful noise per day without wearing hearing protection. 85 dB 8 hours 88 dB 4 hours 91 dB 2 hours 94 dB 1 hour 97 dB 30 minutes 100 dB 15 minutes 103 dB 7.5 minutes 106 dB 4 minutes 109 dB 2 minutes 112 dB 1 minute 115 dB 30 seconds 86
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