New research from Hearing Australia shows 11% of Australians have experienced hearing damage from workplace noise. More prevention and awareness are needed.
It’s a noisy world but nobody should lose their hearing because of their work. Some workplaces are worse than others when it comes to excessive noise that can damage hearing but Australian researchers and practitioners are working to prevent industrial deafness as well as reduce impacts.
It’s not just noise that damages hearing at work though as studies show exposure to ototoxic chemicals also causes hearing loss, and exposure to both noise and chemicals increases susceptibility.
Hearing Australia says the main industries at risk of excessive noise exposure are manufacturing, construction, mining, farming and defence. But there are other industries, such as hospitality, entertainment and retail, which are also exposed to loud noise. Musicians, workers in the automotive industry and airport ground staff are also at risk.
Its recent nationwide online survey of 1,012 people found more than one in 10 workers (11%) have experienced hearing damage from workplace noise and almost 25% know someone who is affected by workplace noise-related hearing damage.
It found only one in four thinks about hearing protection and use it at work or when undertaking noisy activities during their leisure time. And surprisingly Australian women appear to think less about protecting their hearing than men.
Hearing Australia principal audiologist, Ms Karen Hirschausen, says these statistics are a real concern.
“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,” she says. “Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases but it’s also one of the most preventable.”
30,000 workers comp claims
Between 2015 and 2022 Australian workers lodged close to 30,000 workers compensation claims for hearing loss. The majority of these were the result of long term exposure to hazardous noise.
High occupational noise levels are also associated with other health problems, according to research from the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL). Its Making a noise about hearing report from 2020 found excessively noisy workplaces were associated with stress, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue and increased absenteeism.
They also have the potential to cause increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, the report said.
The NAL report found that concerningly, mitigating noise exposure was not a high priority for employers, employees or regulators.
“Small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) appear to be at greater risk of noise exposure,” Hirschausen adds. “Safe Work Australia research from 2010 found that within SMEs, there was insufficient knowledge of the effects and the impact of loud noise on people’s hearing and quality of life, and little consideration given to the benefits of noise control.”
Mr Kim Terrell, Hearing Australia’s managing director, says the organisation 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,” he says.
Hirschausen stresses: “Work health and safety laws that stipulate noise-exposed workers should have their hearing tested when they start the job, then at two-yearly intervals, should be reinforced.”
Farmers seven times more likely to have hearing loss
The NAL report also revealed hearing loss among farmers and agricultural workers is widespread, with statistics indicating 65% of farmers aged 15 to 75+ experience some degree of hearing loss.
“Young farmers are around seven times more likely to have hearing loss than the general population of the same age,” says Hirschausen. “Almost 50% per cent of farmers also report tinnitus.”
In 2020-2021, most workers’ compensation claims that were accepted for deafness were attributed to long term noise exposure, with the majority in males aged 55-59 years, Safe Work Australia says.
“There are likely many more workers who have noise-induced hearing loss, but they don’t realise it until it’s too late. On average, it takes up to 10 years for people to seek help,” Hirschausen adds. “Early detection can help prevent further damage. It’s crucial to identify occupational noise-induced hearing loss as soon as possible then take steps to reduce noise exposure to prevent it from worsening.”
One Australian study suggested occupational noise-induced hearing loss cost at least $26 billion over 10 years.
Safe Work Australia explains that under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, workers must not be exposed to noise above 85 decibels (as an average) over eight hours at work. Machines such as blenders, lawnmowers and leaf blowers are around 85 decibels.
The risk of noise-related injury increases depending on how loud the noise is and how long the worker is exposed to it. The louder noise is, the less time a person can be exposed before hearing damage occurs. For example, the risk at 91 decibels over two hours is the same as 85 decibels over eight hours.
Workers must not be exposed to a noise level over 140 decibels as any exposure above this level could instantly damage hearing. Sledgehammering or gunshots can be 140 decibels or higher.
Occupational audiometry course
Safe Work Australia notes that employers must provide audiometric testing for workers if they need to frequently wear personal hearing protection to protect them from noise above the noise exposure standard.
The Australasian College of Audiometry launched an occupational audiometry short course for workplace hearing tests in 2024 which assists training for this requirement.
Several employees from MM Kembla (mines) recently did the course.
Mr Chedy Kalach, AuCA director, says that further to offering the Certificate IV and Diploma of Audiometry, AuCA expanded its offerings with the intensive course in occupational audiometry.
“The Occupational Audiometry two-day course, in combination with an online learning module, provides participants with the skills and knowledge required in accordance with the Australian and New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 Occupational noise management – Auditory assessment standards,” he says.
“This intensive course is designed to give participants not only competence but also the confidence to conduct otoscopy, perform workplace hearing tests and analyse and present test results accurately and confidently.”
Online study and in person workshops
Kalach says the blended delivery mode utilising both on-line learning and in-person workshops allows instructors to deliver learning modules, quizzes, practical instruction and assessments that are in depth and engaging while allowing students to work through course material at their own pace then consolidate with an intensive hands-on workshop.
“The course materials and learning journey have been carefully designed to provide participants with the best opportunity to gain a practical understanding supported by a comprehensive knowledge base to achieve competency in occupational audiometry,” he added.
“Our AuCA trainers, who are audiologists, facilitate the course and are available to students via the discussion page as well as over the phone for support when needed.”
Course highlights include:
• An online pre-workshop learning module addressing the 16 areas of the AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 Occupational noise management – Auditory assessment standards.
• A two-day face-to-face workshop to gain practical, hands-on experience under the guidance of qualified audiologists. Participants practise audiometric testing techniques, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• A certificate of competency is awarded to participants after passing a final graded assessment.
