22 million workers exposed to hazardous noise each year, making hearing loss 3rd most common chronic physical condition among adults
May happens to be Better Hearing Month, but every month has become hazardous these days to the unprotected ears of millions of U.S. workers. On May 1, the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) launched "Listen Today to Hear Tomorrow," a hearing loss prevention campaign to raise awareness and educate workers and employers. Employers and workers will be able to get links to noise-level apps and request free earplugs online at HearingAtWork.org.
How loud is too loud? Workers exposed to workplace noises higher than 85 decibels (dBA) averaged over 8 hours should wear hearing protection, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). For every 3 dB above 85 dBA, permissible exposure time is cut in half. So, noise exposure at 85 dBA for 8 hours is the same as 100 dBA for 15 minutes.