Noise
Noise is part of our everyday lives. But excessive noise can permanently damage your hearing.
Potential noise sources are varied, but could include; power tools, machinery, industrial processes or significant ambient noise.
How can excessive noise affect you?
If you do develop noise-induced hearing loss, you may find:
- your hearing becomes muffled by the end of the day (even if it has cleared by the next morning);
- conversation becomes increasingly difficult;
- you have trouble hearing people on the other end of the phone;
- you cannot distinguish between ‘t’, ‘d’ and ‘s’ sounds, and so confuse similar words;
- your family start complaining about the TV being too loud;
- you have permanent ringing or whistling in the ears (known as tinnitus).
In most cases hearing loss will be gradual, so when you notice any of these symptoms it may already be too late.
But noise-induced hearing loss is preventable, provided we all take precautions when exposed to loud noise.
What can we do to avoid suffering hearing loss?
As individuals, we all have a part to play in reducing the risk that excessive noise presents by:
- abiding by the controls and precautions identified in task risk assessments;
- correctly wearing hearing protection that is given to you;
- looking after your hearing protection, storing and maintaining it as directed;
- reporting any problems with your hearing, or hearing protection, to your manager immediately.
Read more about the dangers of excessive noise, and how to prevent it, in the Health and Safety Executive’s factsheet: http://hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg363.pdf
Download
Noise information booklet (PDF 553 KB)
Noise data sheet (PDF 655 KB)