Occupational Hearing Loss Overview
Learn About Occupational Hearing Loss
Occupational hearing loss is damage to the inner ear from noise or vibrations due to certain types of jobs.
Hearing loss - occupational; Noise-induced hearing loss; Noise notch
Over time, repeated exposure to loud noise or music can cause hearing loss.
Sounds above 80 decibels (dB, a measurement of the loudness or strength of sound vibration) may cause vibrations intense enough to damage the inner ear. This is more likely to happen if the sound continues for a long time.
Examples of sound intensity are:
- 90 dB -- a large truck 5 yards (4.5 meters) away (motorcycles, snowmobiles, and similar engines range from 85 to 90 dB)
- 100 dB -- some rock concerts
- 120 dB -- a jackhammer about 3 feet (1 meter) away
- 130 dB -- a jet engine from 100 feet (30 meters) away
A general rule of thumb is that if you need to shout to be heard, the sound is in the range that can damage hearing.
Some jobs carry a high risk for hearing loss, such as:
- Airline ground maintenance
- Construction
- Farming
- Jobs involving loud music or machinery
- Military jobs that involve combat, aircraft noise, or other posts with loud noises
In the United States, laws regulate the maximum job noise exposure that it is allowed. Both the length of exposure and decibel level are considered. If the sound is at or greater than the maximum levels recommended, you need to take steps to protect your hearing.
The main symptom is partial or complete hearing loss. The hearing loss will likely get worse over time with continued exposure.
Noise in the ear (tinnitus) may accompany hearing loss.
The hearing loss is very often permanent. The goals of treatment are to:
- Prevent further hearing loss
- Improve communication with any remaining hearing
- Develop coping skills (such as lip reading)
You may need to learn to live with hearing loss. There are techniques you can learn to improve communication and avoid stress. Many things in your surroundings can affect how well you hear and understand what others are saying.
Using a hearing aid may help you understand speech. You can also use other devices to help with hearing loss. If the hearing loss is severe enough, a cochlear implant may help.
Protecting your ears from any further damage and hearing loss is a key part of treatment. Protect your ears when you are exposed to loud noises. Wear ear plugs or earmuffs to protect against damage from loud equipment.
Be aware of risks connected with recreation such as shooting a gun, driving snowmobiles, or other similar activities.
Learn how to protect your ears when listening to music at home or concerts.
Brian Allman practices in London, Canada. Mr. Allman is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Occupational Hearing Loss. His top areas of expertise are Occupational Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss, Retrograde Ejaculation, and Tinnitus.
Anna Fetoni practices in Naples, Italy. Ms. Fetoni is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Occupational Hearing Loss. Her top areas of expertise are Occupational Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss, Infant Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus.
Richard Kopke is an Otolaryngologist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. Kopke is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Occupational Hearing Loss. His top areas of expertise are Occupational Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, and Jones Syndrome.
Hearing loss is often permanent. The loss may get worse if you don't take measures to prevent further damage.
Contact your health care provider if:
- You have hearing loss
- The hearing loss gets worse
- You develop other new symptoms
The following steps can help prevent hearing loss.
- Protect your ears when you are exposed to loud noises. Wear proper protective ear plugs or earmuffs when you are around loud equipment.
- Be aware of the risks to hearing from recreational activities such as shooting a gun or driving snowmobiles.
- DO NOT listen to loud music for long periods of time, including using headphones.
Summary: This study looks at whether working as a hot-air balloon pilot-being exposed to burner noise, changes in air pressure/temperature, and vertical acceleration-is linked to changes in hearing, Eustachian tube function, and vestibular (balance) function. Adult pilots from Cappadocia will be compared with adults who do not have these exposures. Approximately 90 participants are expected to be enrolled ...
Summary: Children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HH) are at risk of speech and language delays, which can be mitigated through early identification and intervention. Identifying hearing loss (HL) during preschool is crucial, but the most effective hearing screening method for preschoolers remains uncertain. The purpose of this study is to learn whether, compared to the gold-standard two-stage Pure-tone...
Published Date: May 02, 2024
Published By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Arts HA, Adams ME. Sensorineural hearing loss in adults. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 152.
Eggermont JJ. Causes of acquired hearing loss. In: Eggermont JJ, ed. Hearing Loss. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier Academic Press; 2017:chap 6.
Le Prell CG. Noise-induced hearing loss. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 154.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) website. Noise-induced hearing loss. NIH Pub. No. 14-4233. www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss. Updated March 16, 2022. Accessed May 13, 2024.