Loud noises from machinery, tools and assembly processes are an inherent part of many industrial workplaces, with banging, buzzing and grinding sounds largely tolerated as part of the job. However, neither the short- nor long-term consequences of prolonged noise exposure are something employees should accept.
In the short term, high levels of noise in a workspace can cause the feeling of being tired or a minor hearing disfunction, like a ringing in ears or the sensation of being “stuffed up.” But, in the long run, consequences can be much more severe – including increased stress, decreased productivity, a higher degree of worksite accidents and, in many cases, permanent hearing damage. The CDC even reported that prolonged noise exposure may be detrimental to more than just the ears, potentially affecting blood pressure and leading to cardiovascular diseases.