Noise induced Hearing Loss

A noise induced hearing loss is caused by excessive noise and leads to a sensory neural loss which causes a high frequency hearing loss. The noise at work act was introduced in 1973 where by employers were made responsible for providing ear protection to employees who worked in excessive noise. The amount of damage depends on the level of noise, the distance away from the noise and the duration of time spent in the noise. Everyday kinds of noise include factory or machinery noise, discos, eye pods, shooting, motor bikes, pop festivals or even visiting motorcycle or motor racing tracks. The high frequency hearing loss generally causes hearing difficulties in background noise. Frustratingly as there is little damage to the low frequencies (volume) the individual will not realise that the problem is there for years.
Whilst sometimes we cannot help being around loud damaging noise we should endeavour to wear ear protection. There are several types of ear protection available. This information can be found in our links.