On the job, our ability to hear is critical. It allows us to communicate with coworkers, take instructions and recognize warnings. Unfortunately, the work environment can pose a potential hazard to our hearing. Hearing loss significantly affects 60 percent of factory workers in the manufacturing sector. Construction workers are also at risk given the nature of their work.
An employee may be exposed to work-related noise eight hours a day, 40 hours a week, for a 40-year career. Hearing loss caused by prolonged exposure to hazardous noise occurs gradually, over time, and a worker may not detect it until it is too late.