Hearing loss can happen in a number of ways in the workplace, and some reports indicate that it is one of the most common work-related illnesses.
Often, hearing loss happens from being exposed to a high number of decibels for an extended period of time. The exposure limit that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends is no more than 85 dB on average, over an eight-hour workday. When the consistent noise exceeds this 85 dB average, it can lead to significant issues.
Additionally, workers are sometimes exposed to a one-time event that can cause significant hearing loss. Even if they generally work in a relatively quiet environment, a sudden loud event, like a gunshot or an explosion, could leave them unable to hear due to acute tinnitus.
Is this a permanent change?
With these one-time events, the damage often is not permanent. A person may have trouble hearing for a few hours or days, for example, or hear ringing in their ear, but they will gradually regain their ability to hear as they did before.
However, when there is long-term exposure, hearing loss is often permanent. This makes it a bit different from other types of workplace injuries, where workers can seek appropriate medical treatment and make a full recovery. Someone who has lost a significant percentage of their hearing may have no options to regain that ability, as the body simply cannot heal and recover the lost hearing.
There are sometimes devices that can be used, such as hearing aids, but they still do not mean that a person has recovered physically. That is why it is important for workers to know when they are in a dangerous environment and how to take proactive steps, such as using hearing protection on the job.
Those suffering from permanent hearing loss and other workplace illnesses must know what legal options they have moving forward.