Consortium of specialists in occupational deafness
Noise-induced hearing loss
Hearing loss caused by noise is permanent. It results from prolonged exposure to excessive sound levels, and hearing deteriorates gradually from the first exposures onward.
PREVENTION IS YOUR BEST ASSET
Noise at work?
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is also called occupational deafness when it is caused by work. It is one of the most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss. When you have noise-induced hearing loss, the hair cells of the inner ear have been damaged. The ability of the hair cells in the cochlea to pick up sounds and transmit them to the brain is then permanently reduced.
Noise exposure
Occupational hearing loss is caused by exposure to loud noise over long periods. For example in a workplace, in a factory, or from gunshots, horns or fireworks. Carpenters, machine operators, steelworkers and construction workers are particularly at risk.
Unfortunately all too common
In industrialized countries, the prevalence of hearing loss attributable to workplace noise is estimated at 10 to 16% (Dobie, 2008; Nelson et al., 2005)
In Quebec
In Quebec, the EQCOTESST (2011) survey estimated that 359,000 workers work often or all the time in a noise so intense that holding a conversation one metre away is difficult, even when shouting. [Estimated noise level over 85 dBA according to Harris, 1979].