Audiologist Provides Tips for Protecting Hearing ‘For Life’

An audiologist has advised Australians to prioritise their hearing health after a report found that one in 10 Aussies is impacted by workplace-related hearing loss.
A quarter of those surveyed knew someone who has experienced workplace noise-related hearing damage, while Aussie women appeared to think less about protecting their hearing than men, the report found.
“Workers in noisy workplaces can live with the legacy of hearing loss long after they put down their tools,” Hearing Australia’s principal audiologist Karen Hirschausen told The Epoch Times.
“But if you understand the hazards of noise and how to practice good hearing health, you can protect your hearing for life.”
Industries at risk of exceeding Australia’s noise exposure standards include farming, mining, manufacturing, construction, and the Defence Force, Hirschausen said.
Additionally, those living in rural and regional Australia are more likely to have problems compared to their city counterparts, with occupational noise exposure as one of the biggest contributors.
Young farmers in particular are around seven times more likely to have hearing loss than the general population of the same age, she said.
“However, there are other industries, such as hospitality, entertainment, and retail, where you could also be exposed to loud noise,” she said.
The survey also found that one in four millennials were too embarrassed to wear earplugs or earmuffs in a loud environment like a concert.
Sound below 75 decibels over 8 hours, or instant peak noise levels below 130 decibels, are unlikely to cause hearing loss.
However, the risk increases with progressively increasing levels. For reference, peak noise levels greater than 140 decibels usually occur with impact or explosive noise such as sledgehammering or a gunshot.
“Any exposure above this peak can cause almost instant damage to hearing,” the report states.
Hirschausen said that while Australia has “good regulations” on hearing protection provisions in noisy work environments, it is important that employers and workers take necessary steps to reduce workplace noise exposure.
“But we also need to think about the noise we are exposed to outside of work and protecting our hearing when undertaking noisy activities in our leisure time, such as mowing the lawn, using the whipper snipper, attending loud venues,” she said.
“When it comes to wearing hearing protection, it’s important that people are using equipment that is comfortable and easy to use, clean and well maintained, compatible with other personal protective equipment, and fit for purpose,” she said.
“We also encourage people to use smartphone noise apps to track their own noise exposure. These apps can be a powerful tool for behavioural change, as you receive real-time feedback if a noise is too loud, so you can adjust your behaviour or the noise. It’s likely to drive greater awareness of sound levels in general,” she said.
Hirschausen also has recommendations for millennials, and those who attend loud noise environments such as concerts.
“In environments like concerts and nightclubs, the noise can get up to a level where it can be damaging to your hearing,” she said.
“So, we’d encourage those who like to regularly attend things like concerts, live bands, or nightclubs to think about things they can do to protect their hearing, such as having regular breaks, moving away from the speakers, and taking some earplugs with them.
“It’s important that people have regular hearing checks, and if they have any concerns, they should speak to their GP or see an audiologist. Taking action early is key to achieving better hearing health outcomes.”