Whether you work in a noisy factory or a bustling office, protecting your ears on the job is crucial for long-term hearing health. Many workplaces expose you to loud environments that can contribute to hearing loss over time, and once your hearing is damaged, it cannot be restored. Taking steps to care for your ears is one of the best investments you can make in your overall health and well-being. Here are some key tips to help you keep your hearing in top shape while you work.
Recognize Hazardous Noise Levels
The first step in protecting your hearing at work is knowing when noise levels might be dangerous. Regular exposure to sounds above 85 decibels (dB), which is roughly the noise level of a busy highway, can begin to damage your ears. This is especially true if you are exposed to such noise for extended periods. Common workplaces where noise levels can be hazardous include construction sites, manufacturing plants, and even some office environments with constant machinery or equipment running.
You don’t have to guess whether the noise around you is too loud. If you have to raise your voice to be heard by someone standing a few feet away, chances are the noise level is potentially harmful. Investing in a hearing health exam can help you understand your current hearing abilities and identify any risks.
Use Hearing Protection
One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your ears is by using hearing protection. Earplugs and earmuffs are affordable, portable, and simple to use. Custom hearing protection, designed to fit your ears perfectly, offers an even better solution for those regularly exposed to loud noise. Depending on your work environment, you can choose between sound-dampening earplugs or noise-canceling earmuffs to keep harmful noise levels at bay.
For those in jobs that require you to hear certain signals or communicate while still protecting your ears, specialty earplugs are available that allow speech frequencies through while blocking out harmful noise. Wearing protection daily is critical, as even short periods of exposure to loud noise can cause cumulative damage.
Take Regular Breaks
Continuous exposure to loud noise can be significantly more damaging than shorter, interrupted periods of exposure. Giving your ears regular breaks from high noise levels allows them to recover. Try to take at least a few minutes away from noisy environments every hour. If possible, schedule tasks that require intense focus or conversation during quieter times of the day.
Many workers are unaware that taking short breaks from noise can reduce the risk of hearing loss over time. Simple strategies like stepping outside or into a quieter area for a few minutes can make a big difference in protecting your ears.
Monitor Volume Levels
If you work in an environment where you listen to audio through headphones, such as in a call center or as a driver using a navigation device, it’s important to monitor the volume. Prolonged use of headphones at high volumes can have the same damaging effects as industrial noise. Keep the volume at a moderate level, and follow the “60/60” rule: listen at 60% of the maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time.
Modern headphones also has volume-limiting features that help protect your ears by capping the maximum sound output. This is especially useful if you’re working in a noisy environment where you might be tempted to turn up the volume to drown out background noise.
Schedule Regular Hearing Health Exams
Even if you take precautions, it’s still important to regularly check your hearing health. Hearing loss often develops gradually, and you may not notice it until it becomes significant. A hearing health exam can catch any early signs of damage and help you adjust your hearing protection strategies.
If your job involves consistent noise exposure, include a hearing test in your annual health check-up. Detecting problems early can prevent further damage and ensure you maintain your hearing for years.
Educate Your Workplace
Many workers are unaware of the risks noise exposure poses to their hearing. Sharing information about hearing loss and the importance of protection can help create a safer work environment. Encourage your employer to provide hearing protection and schedule routine hearing tests for employees. Some workplaces also offer noise level assessments to help identify areas where improvements can be made, such as reducing machinery noise or providing quiet break areas.
Working together with your employer to promote hearing safety can benefit everyone in the workplace. Raising awareness about hearing health ensures that everyone can protect their ears and reduce their risk of long-term damage.