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they are doing the same type of job or David adds that an immediate way that TINNITUS
working in the same area. OSH professionals can make an impact is
Neal warns that a one-size-fi ts- by ensuring that staff have comfortable,

THE BUSINESS NOISE EXPOSURE
all approach may not consider the suitable ear protection and that they The facts

complexities of the working environment know how to fit correctly.
Another condition closely related
or an employee’s exposure to noise ‘It is highly recommended to try as
to noise exposure is tinnitus - the

outside work, which can be a key factor. many different sorts of protection as
sensation of hearing a sound even
He adds that OSH professionals also possible to reach the most satisfactory when there is no external source.
need to be fully trained in using sound outcome, because our ears are all

meters and other equipment, so they can different,’ he says. ‘Most of the disposable According to the charity Tinnitus UK,
properly perform risk assessments and ear protection products are cheap, and so around one in seven adults in the
may only have small windows of time to can be tried at will.’ UK are aff ected
evaluate the situation. David says that other types of by the condition,
Given this limitation, he questioned protection are also available, including which can also be
associated with
whether some of their findings would over-ear defenders, which are his method

ear infections and
be representative of true operational of choice, especially for short durations.
stress and anxiety.
conditions, especially given the changing ‘For longer continual durations, I fi nd

nature of noise in most workplaces. the in-ear foam plugs effective and
Their recent
‘In many cases, noise monitoring comfortable,’ he adds. ‘Any method of survey found
today does not deliver the correct level protection is far more comfortable than that more than
of insight into what a person’s individual noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus.’ a third (35%) of
exposures actually are,’ says Neal. ‘It’s a Noise monitoring technology will play people attributed
far from ideal process, identifying who is a growing role in ensuring workers are not their tinnitus to
at risk and how we tackle that risk.’ exposed to high levels in the workplace. loud noise exposure, and twice as
Shawcity’s Gabriela and Ben believe that many men (48%) as women (24%)
said noise exposure was a cause of
Beyond the guidance emerging technology is revolutionising
their condition.
Neal believes most companies are measurement accuracy by accounting for

complying with the current guidelines the specific PPE worn by employees.
And four out of 10
around noise exposure. The question, he They say some advanced devices off er
respondents (39%)
adds, is how to help organisations who voice recording capabilities to ensure
who were exposed
want to go beyond those guidelines. data integrity by detecting measurement
to noise at work said
‘The way to improve what companies inaccuracies. ‘Additionally, these they ‘never’ used

are doing is to help the individual innovative tools are equipped to filter out hearing protection, while only a
understand what their exposure levels vibration waves, thus providing a more quarter (24%) said they ‘always or
are, because they can then take that into precise representation of noise exposure sometimes’ used hearing protection.
other activities,’ he explains. levels,’ they add.
‘Employers need to help workers Calvin and James say that mobile ‘People of any age can get
understand that noise exposure does not phone apps have come a long way since tinnitus,’ says Tinnitus UK’s
clock off at 5pm. They need to look after their inception, and, while not always communications manager,

themselves outside of work, because highly accurate, will give you an idea of Nic Wray. ‘Because it’s an
invisible condition, it
recreational noise exposure can cause whether you need to address the issue.
does go under
noise-induced hearing loss that will ‘Some entry-level dosimeters will
the radar a
come back and impact the company.’ enable you to get an idea of personal noise
bit. People
Association of Noise Consultants levels for employees,’ they say.
don’t realise
(ANC) member David Garritt says one While risk control always comes the extent of the
of the main complaints heard from first, there is an abundance of PPE problem. We cannot turn back the

workers during noise awareness training and noise-monitoring systems to help clock on age-related hearing loss, but
in the workplace is that they find ear employers protect their workers in we can do something about noise-

protection uncomfortable. noisy environments. induced hearing loss.’
62 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | IOSHMAGAZINE.COM
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