Occupational Hearing Loss
By Ellen Mc Laughlin

Occupational Hearing Loss

Occupational hazards exist in many professions. For some types of work, hearing loss is a major occupational risk. Fortunately, there is now much more awareness of occupational hearing loss than previously existed, and prevention efforts are now becoming far more common.

Occupational hearing loss shares many similarities with Noise-Induced hearing loss. Both types of hearing loss are caused by either prolonged exposure to harmful levels of noise, or experiencing a sudden, extremely loud noise at very close range. And, in both occupational hearing loss and hearing loss induced by noise, the ability to hear high frequencies is often affected first. And, as with noise-induced hearing loss, occupational hearing loss usually develops gradually and painlessly.

There are, however, some differences between the causes of occupational hearing loss and hearing loss caused by noise. While noise is the dominant cause of occupational hearing loss, hearing loss may also develop from exposure to certain environmental elements, including harmful gases, (carbon monoxide, for example), high levels of heat, manufacturing solvents and chemicals, and metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic. The primary cause of occupational hearing loss in these cases is damage to some part of the hearing mechanism, usually the delicate hair cells of the inner ear.

Symptoms of occupational hearing loss include feeling as if you’re hearing underwater,  a sense of fullness in the ears, and, as mentioned above, an inability to hear higher frequencies. Tinnitus,

or “ringing in the ears” may also accompany this type of hearing loss. Hearing loss usually builds up, with the first episode of hearing loss due to noise exposure lasting no more than two days; this is known as a “threshold shift”. However, the damage to the hair cells of the inner ear is permanent and, with each subsequent exposure, becomes  worse and worse.

Occupational hearing loss is diagnosed through the use of several tests, including a complete medical history and examination, a description of the affected individual’s occupational responsibilities and exposures, a regular hearing test, including an audiometry to graph the pattern of any hearing loss, X-rays, and/or CAT scans, and a test that will indicate any diminished function of the hair cells of the inner ear, known as an “otoacoustic emissions test.”

Treatments for occupational hearing loss include hearing aids specifically adjusted for the particular level of hearing loss, wearing protective ear plugs or ear coverings, workplace accommodations and/or a change in work assignments so as to minimize or eliminate exposure to the harmful noise or environmental factors that caused the hearing loss, and “aural rehabilitation”, a type of therapy that helps those with hearing loss adjust to and deal with their condition. Such therapy is particularly helpful for those with occupational hearing loss, as they may have no previous history of hearing loss.

While treatment is important, prevention of occupational hearing loss is certainly always better and simple protective measures such as wearing ear plugs/ear coverings, and wearing masks when exposed to harmful toxins, will almost always prevent occupational hearing loss.

Ellen Mc Laughlin is a prolific writer and has been active in the field of Occupational Hearing Loss for many years.