Occupational hearing loss

Overview

Occupational hearing loss (OHL)' is hearing loss that occurs as a result of occupational hazards. These hazards include industrial noise and exposure to ototoxic chemicals such as organic solvents, heavy metals, and asphyxiants. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise each year, while 10 million workers are exposed to ototoxic solvents. OHL surveillance works to monitor workers' hearing, their exposure to hazards that lead to hearing loss, and measuring this data across industries and over time.[1] “Occupational hearing loss can be defined as a hearing impairment in one or both ears, partial or complete, arising in, during the course of, or as the result of one’s employment”.[2] Occupational hearing loss is a very present industrial issue that has been noticed since the Industrial Revolution.[3] As industrial society continues to grow, this issue is becoming increasingly detrimental due to the exposure of chemicals and physical objects. Millions of employees have been affected by occupational hearing loss, especially in industry.[4] Industrialized countries see most of these damages as they result in both economic and living problems. There are many organizations, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), who have worked to understand hearing loss in the work environment. They have especially studied how it correlates to extreme noise exposure. According to research from both organizations, exposure to these hazardous levels of noise is common in the American workplace. Although extreme levels of noise are the main cause of occupational hearing loss there are also other factors in the work environment that can result in it. Chemicals, foreign bodies, barotrauma, along with other hazards can result in hearing loss. These losses that these workers obtain, affect many aspects of their life, mainly social interactions.[5]

Risk Factors

Most of the risk occurs on the job where these harmful noises are present. The longer period of time and louder it is when a worker is exposed to these noises introduces greater risk. Therefore the equal energy principle states higher noise levels are more tolerable for shorter periods of time. The losses primarily occur after a noise level of 25dB. Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) isn’t the only way workers can loose hearing in the workplace. Trauma and violence to the side of the head or skull are also correlated to hearing loss while working. The National Institute for occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), predicts that 14% of employees are exposed to hazardous sound with a level greater than 90db. Blows to the ear commonly result from foreign objects due to a blast or explosion. Hearing loss resulting from trauma generally can be healed or bettered by appropriate treatment. These direct blows to the head, that could potential result in concussions, may result in nerve type hearing loss. Burn injuries are also a factor that can result in hearing loss if the canal is damaged. Burns most likely occur form sparks and molten metal coming in contact with the ear. Any foreign bodies or substances that enter the ear could also potentially cause damage and block the canal.

History

Within the United States of America alone, 10 of the 28 million people that have experienced hearing loss related to noise exposure. Rarely do workers express concerns or complaints regarding Occupational hearing loss. In order to gather relevant information, workers who have experienced loud work environments are questioned regarding their hearing abilities during everyday activities. When analyzing OHP, it is necessary to consider family history, hobbies, recreational activities, and how they could play a role in a person’s hearing loss. In order to test hearing loss, audiometers are used to and are adjusted to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) regulations. The Occupation and Safety Health Association (OSHA) of the United States of America requires a program that conserves hearing when noise levels are greater than 85 dB. This program includes: 1.”Monitoring to assess and record noise levels.” 2. “Periodic audiometry.” 3. “Noise Control” 4. “Education and record keeping.” Occupational hearing loss is very preventable.


References

  1. ↑ "CDC - NIOSH Topic: Occupational Hearing Loss (OHL) Surveillance". www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  2. ↑ Fox, M. (n.d.). "Occupational Hearing Loss". The Laryngoscope.
  3. ↑ Sataloff, R & J (1987). "Occupational Hearing Loss". New York: Dekker.
  4. ↑ Al-Otaibi, S. (n.d.). "Occupational Hearing Loss". Saudi Medical Journal 21: 523–530.
  5. ↑ May, J. (n.d.). "Occupational hearing loss". Am J Ind Med American Journal of Industrial Medicine: 112–120.


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