New research from Hearing Australia shows that 11% of Australians have workplace-related noise-induced hearing loss and 25% know someone who is affected.
The survey also revealed that more than one in five adults have experienced hearing damage from leisure activities or know someone who has.
Alarmingly, only one in four think about wearing hearing protection. Hearing Australia’s research division, the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) said that mitigating noise exposure appeared to not be a high priority for employers, employees or regulators and Hearing Australia added workers should have their hearing tested when they start a new job then at two-yearly intervals.
Hearing Australia commissioned the nationwide online survey of 1,012 people for National Safe Work Month in October. Findings prompted the organisation to urge everyone to prioritise hearing health at work and play.
“National Safe Work Month reminds us that we must look after our hearing,” said Hearing Australia principal audiologist, Ms Karen Hirschausen. “Its theme states that safety is everyone’s business – and not just in the workplace; hearing damage can also occur outside work.”
Other findings include:
- Only one-in-four Australians think about hearing protection and use it at work or when undertaking noisy activities during their leisure time.
- Aussie women appear to think less about protecting their hearing than men do.
- Millennials (people in their late twenties to early forties) seem to be more concerned about their appearance than their hearing with 25% saying they’d be too embarrassed to wear earplugs or earmuffs in a loud environment like a concert.
- Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) appear to be at greater risk of noise exposure.
- The main industries at risk are mining, manufacturing, construction, farming, the Defence Force, hospitality, entertainment and retail.
- High noise levels in workplaces are associated with stress, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue and increased absenteeism.
“These statistics are a real concern,” Hirschausen said. “Hearing is such an important sense but more than 1.1 million Australians are exposed to hazardous noise in their workplace (according to 2019 data.)
“Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases but it’s also one of the most preventable.”
Certain leisure activities can also be noisy and potentially risk hearing damage.
“What our research found is that many people don’t fully understand the risk to their hearing in a nightclub or concerts and overestimate the length of time they can spend in these noisy environments without hearing protection before risking hearing damage,” she said.
“It’s important that when people are in loud environments like this, they take steps to protect their hearing, such as having regular breaks and moving away from speakers.”
Other health risks from noise
A separate report by NAL found that high noise levels in workplaces were associated with stress, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue and increased absenteeism. NAL said high noise levels also had the potential to cause increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
In its ‘Making a noise about hearing’ report, NAL also found that mitigating noise exposure was not a high priority for employers, employees or regulators.
Hirschausen said: “Small to medium-sized businesses appear to be at greater risk of noise exposure.
“Safe Work Australia research found that within SMEs, there’s insufficient knowledge of the effects and impact of loud noise on people’s hearing and quality of life. There also appears to be little consideration given to the benefits of noise control.”
The main industries at risk of exceeding Australia’s noise exposure standard are mining, manufacturing, construction, farming and the Defence Force, according to NAL. “But there are other industries, such as hospitality, entertainment and retail, which are also exposed to loud noise,” Hirschausen said.
Mr Kim Terrell, Hearing Australia’s managing director, added: “Nobody should lose their hearing because of the work they do.
“Hearing Australia is committed to helping prevent avoidable hearing loss in the workplace. And we believe more needs to be done to protect workers in high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing and agriculture.”
Enforce workplace laws
Hirschausen said workplace laws should be reinforced that stipulate noise-exposed workers should have their hearing tested when they start work then at two-yearly intervals.
“More broadly, we also encourage people to use smartphone noise apps to track their own noise exposure,” she added. “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.
“If you’re in environments where you’re exposed to loud noise, you should have your hearing checked regularly. And if you have any concerns or experience changes in your hearing, you should also see an audiologist.
“Hearing Australia has expert audiologists available across the country providing care and support so people can experience better hearing health.”
