Did you know that hearing loss is permanent?
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Working in an agriculture, forestry, or fishing can be noisy! Extended exposure to machinery, equipment, and even some animals can lead to hearing loss. |
Check out the image below to see how loud is too loud
Cost-Effective Ways To Prevent Hearing Loss
- Wear hearing protection and provide it for your workers. See the hearing protection guide.
- Install noise-reducing mufflers.
- Replace worn machinery parts.
- If possible, distance yourself from the source of the noise.
- Minimize the amount of time you spend in noise settings as much as possible.
- Be familiar with the noise hazards that are present in an everyday work setting.
Hearing Loss Can Be Temporary or Permanent in some cases, hearing loss can be temporary. However, it can become permanent when vital parts of the ear have been damaged beyond repair. Damage to any part of the ear can lead to hearing loss. Loud noise is particularly harmful to the inner ear (cochlea).
Hearing loss occurs when there is damage to structures and/or nerve fibers in the inner ear that respond to sound. This type of hearing loss, termed “noise-induced hearing loss,” is usually caused by exposure to excessively loud sounds and cannot be medically or surgically corrected.
Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss
- A ringing or buzzing occurring in the ear.
- Difficulty hearing other people clearly.
- Listening to the radio or television louder than normal.
- Asking co-workers or family members to constantly repeat themselves.
- Difficulty hearing on the phone.
Download the Free NIOSH Sound Meter App
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Written by: Gunner Arms, 2022 CASH Intern
References:
https://gpcah.public-health.uiowa.edu/visual-data/
https://www.ruralmutual.com/resource/farm-machinery/7-ways-manage-farm-noises-prevent-hearing-loss/
https://www.siumed.edu/blog/what-was-preventing-hear-loss-among-farmers-and-agriculture-workers
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-loss/