Please leave your details below and somebody will get back, today.
The UK has over 9 million people with some type of hearing loss. The reason for hearing loss amongst those varies from age related hearing loss to a medical condition related hearing loss. Some however have lost their hearing either fully or partially due to poor hearing health and safety practices. Loud noise is part of everyday life and it’s hard to escape from, however prolonged exposure to noise such as at the work place can lead to permanent damage. Here is a selection of hearing health and safety tips to help you reduce the likelihood of hearing loss.
Hearing Health and Safety Tips:
1. Prevention – Do not put yourself in extreme noisy situations if you can avoid it. For example, if riding a motorcycle is part of your work, consider wearing a full faced helmet as apposed to any other type as it will reduce the extreme noise generated by the wind at high speeds.
2. Wear hearing protection – If you are given hearing protection and trained on how to use them, be it muffs or ear plugs always wear them. This protection should be warn at all times while at work and removed only at safe areas as designated by the health and safety team or by the employer.
3. Care for the hearing protection – Products are only as good as the condition at which they are kept. Treat your hearing protection with great care, it will help you save your hearing. If you are unsure how to care and maintain the protection which you are given then your employer will help explain.
4. Share your concerns – If you feel you are placed in a situation which exposes your hearing to loud noise without the appropriate protection, you must flag it up immediately. It pays to be proactive when it comes to your wellbeing.
5. Pay attention to instructions – Make sure you understand what is required from you and how you are meant to deal with loud noise. Follow any working methods that are put in place.
6. Test your hearing – If you suspect your hearing might be impaired consider seeing your GP for a hearing test. You might also consider taking an online hearing check, though this check does not replace an audiologist or GP hearing test
If you still have any unanswered questions about your hearing health and safety you can speak with a health and safety consultant, your health and safely team or your employer.
Tips by the team at Hearing Direct which offers a range of hearing protection as well as a wide range of hearing aids for those with a hearing disability.
A chartered (fellow) safety and risk management practitioner with 20+ years of experience. David provides a healthy dose of how-to articles, advice and guidance to make compliance easier for construction professionals, Architects and the built environment. Get social with David on Twitter and Linkedin.
Jargon-free articles and guidance to help you and your business
Hey there, folks! Today, let’s talk about something that’s often overlooked but incredibly important. Construction safety management. Whether you’re a construction worker, a site manager, or just someone who’s curious…
Amidst the sounds of hammers on steel and the whirr of drills, there was a subtle tension in the air at one of our client’s construction sites. It was not…
In the realm of architecture, our forward-thinking CDM consultant stepped into the bustling world of an architectural practice. The organisation was highly skilled, 35 strong, and had flair with their…
Hey there, folks! Today, let’s talk about something that’s often overlooked but incredibly important. Construction safety management. Whether you’re a construction worker, a site manager, or just someone who’s curious…
Amidst the sounds of hammers on steel and the whirr of drills, there was a subtle tension in the air at one of our client’s construction sites. It was not…
In the realm of architecture, our forward-thinking CDM consultant stepped into the bustling world of an architectural practice. The organisation was highly skilled, 35 strong, and had flair with their…
8 Comments
An interesting article. Learning about ways you can protect your hearing is vital in a work environment. Thanks.
Interesting list/checkpoints. Gives an idea of preparing something similar for another sense organ, namely, hands.
A home is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.
Nice to see more hearing protection learning center resources. All too many people take their hearing for granted!
The underlying reasons for hearing loss differ, but two of the more common are damage to the auditory system caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise and age-related deterioration. Proactive steps should be taken to reduce all unnecessary noise – reducing the risk to employees is done by taking several approaches, rather than one approach. Changing to quieter processes or quieter equipment, go hand in hand with setting compulsory hearing protection policies when and where required. Hearing loss may lead to reduced self confidence, lifestyle changes and in business, reduced productivity. The key to reducing noise induced hearing loss amongst staff is taking action against noisy environments, setting polices and educating staff on the various risks of hearing loss.
Hearing protection is extremely important and there is only a bit of knowledge out there, boots hearing offer some great tips and advice on this subject.
This is good site for great tips on hearing aids
You only get one set of ears. It is very important that you take very good care of them. If you notice a significant change in your hearing, contact your ear doctor for possible treatment.