A ringing in your ear, headache, tired, overstimulated and hearing loss. About 900,000 people are exposed to loud noises at work every day. And despite the Working Conditions Act, hearing damage caused by noise at work has been in the top 3 of the most frequently reported occupational diseases for years. Today, on International Noise Awarenessday, worldwide attention is paid to hearing damage.
People with hearing damage due to their work report sick more often and also have more fatigue complaints or burnouts than people without hearing damage, according to research by the CZ. In addition, more and more studies indicate that hearing damage is a risk factor for dementia.
Noisiest professions
According to the Arbo, it is harmful to work for eight hours in 80 decibels. If the sound is louder, someone can suffer hearing damage within a working day.
These are the noisiest professions according to the Arbo and hearing care professionals:
- Airport ground crew
- Construction workers
- Musicians
- Factory workers
- Childcare workers and teachers
- Gym teachers
- Pool staff
- Truck drivers
- Police officers
- Metal workers
- Defense personnel
- Staff in catering or at events
Hearing damage in gym teachers
Gym teachers have also been complaining for years about the poor acoustics in gymnasiums. Research by Fontys Hogescholen shows that they are right: the noise exceeds the legal safe noise standard of 80 decibels and is therefore too loud.
“We are extremely shocked by this and I also find it serious that PE teachers who do such important work do not actually have a safe working environment,” researcher Saskia Tuinder told reporters. Pointer. “We see in our first measurements that there are exceedances in all the rooms examined. Then you have to think of noise levels above 80 decibels, but in a number of the halls examined the meter even measured up to 88 dB or 92 dB (ed. noise comparable to a passing train).”
Hearing protection
Employers have a legal obligation to prevent all damage to their staff, including hearing damage. For example, they must provide information about the dangers of working in a lot of noise and offer hearing protection at a noise volume of 80 decibels. From 85 decibels onwards, staff must wear hearing protection. Employers should also try to limit noise, for example by purchasing quieter machines.
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