Hearing loss is a big problem, but it’s one that’s rarely discussed. A Labour Force Survey conducted in 2018 found that 63 out of 100,000 people employed during the previous twelve months self-reported hearing loss caused or exacerbated by their line of work.
There’s reason to suppose that this is an underestimate: many people suffer minor hearing loss, and don’t realise it; others are unwilling to volunteer that their work has deafened them, albeit slightly. And the survey didn’t consider retirees, among whom hearing loss is far more prevalent.
In the UK, around 11 million people are affected by hearing loss, and for around 900,000, this hearing loss is categorised as ‘severe’.
In many cases, this loss of hearing is avoidable. It’s a result of prolonged, cumulative exposure to loud noise, typically, in the workplace. Measures taken to reduce the volume, even if just a little bit, can result in vastly improved outcomes. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Get your Ears Tested
If we can’t track the extent of a problem, then it will be difficult to see exactly where we stand. Getting your ears tested will allow you to compare yourself to others, and give yourself a benchmark against which to judge future hearing loss. If you’re at higher risk of hearing loss, then regular testing may be beneficial.
Avoid Loud Noise
If you find yourself working in environments where you can’t hear what people are saying, and you have to raise your voice, then you’re at risk. This applies to busy factories and construction settings, but also to recreational ones like nightclubs. If you get to bed and find that your ears and ringing, it means that you’re damaging yourself – albeit slowly. If you’re working behind a bar in a nightclub, and you’re finding that you need customers to shout into your ear to deliver their order, then it might be time to consider alternative employment options.
Wear Earplugs
Defending your ears is absolutely critical in a whole range of professions. These come in a range of shapes and sizes – from little foam inserts that slot into your ear directly, to ear defenders that sit over the top of your head. If you’re willing to spend a little more, then you might find moulded plugs that preserve a flatter frequency response. What’s important is that you reduce the volume, however, and this is something that even inexpensive earplugs can do.
Turn the Volume Down
If you’re listening to music on a set of headphones, then you might get a warning from your phone that you’re pushing things too far. In some cases, the phone might take the decision away from you! This might be a sign that you’ve already suffered hearing loss. If possible, heed the warning and keep the volume lowered.
