What Are Noise Hazards, and How Can You Protect Yourself?

Hearing is one of the basic senses we develop at birth and one that we often don’t pay heed to growing up unless we are faced with a hearing complication.

According to the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), sound is a sensation of acoustic waves, while unpleasant, unwanted, and disturbing sound is generally treated as noise. That being said, noise is a highly subjective feeling – what sounds to one person can very well be noise to somebody else.

Did you know that noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases and workers in industrial jobs are prone to accidents and health problems linked to long exposure to noise?

What is a noise hazard?
Noise is any sound the human ear finds unpleasing or disruptive to concentration. That sound becomes a noise hazard when it interferes with communication and warning signals on the job and causes chronic health problems.

The higher the level of noise and the longer individuals are exposed to it, the more risk they have of suffering harm from it. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major compensable occupational disease in Malaysia which involves a substantial economic burden. Exposure to excessive noise also entails largely unrecognised costs to organisations by way of increased employee turnover and absenteeism, lowered performance and possible contribution to accidents.

So, how loud is too loud?

First, we must understand that the sounds we hear are measured by a logarithmic unit known as decibels (dB).

Malaysia Occupational Safety & Health (Noise Exposure) Regulations 2019

The new Noise Exposure Limit (NEL) has been revised from 90 to 85 dB(A) over a time span of 8 hours. An employer must not expose any employees to noise above the NEL and no exposure to the maximum sound pressure level of 115 dB(A) at any time and a peak sound pressure level of 140 (dB). Hearing conservation training for workers is also required on a yearly basis. Some companies, like 3M, can provide training support, and a certificate will be issued for the record.

Occupational noise hazards are one of the most common workplace safety concerns

Noise may be a problem at a workplace if:

Employees notice a reduction in hearing over the day. Raised voice needed to communicate with someone about one meter away. Employees can’t clearly hear instructions or warning signals. Workers experience ringing in the ears or sounds heard differently in each ear.

In 2018, the total Malaysia’s Employment Accident Rate reported by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health was just over 35,000. Although it shows a decline since 2017 (a total of 42,513), DOSH reported over 6,000 cases of hearing damage related to occupational noise in 2018. That makes hearing damage the most common occupational hazard in Malaysia.

There are many cases in which a worker is exposed to noises that are exceptionally dangerous for the ears. For example, construction and factory workers who are on-site with exposure to loud noises for more than eight hours on a daily basis are at high risk of hearing damage.

It is important to note that the effects of exposure to loud noises do not happen overnight. This is because hearing damage doesn’t solely depend on the actual noise but also on the exposure time. As such, preventive measures need to be taken. As easy as it is to damage our ears, it is also easy to protect them.

Ways to attenuate hearing damage

Although noise-induced hearing loss is the most common occupational health condition globally, it is preventable.

1. Always wear hearing protection correctly

Be sure always to wear hearing protection correctly when exposed to dangerous noise levels. When worn incorrectly, wearers may experience discomfort, and more importantly, it may not offer suitable protection. There are many variants of hearing protection as each model or type is designed to address different worker needs and pain points.

The wearer should ensure the hearing protector tightly seals within the ear canal or against the side of the head. Hair and clothing should not be in the way. Choosing the right hearing protection for your needs can be difficult as it depends on several factors, including the noise level, comfort, and the suitability of the hearing protector for both the wearer and the environment.

The hearing protection should neither over nor under protect the wearer. 3M has an easy-to-use selection system for E-A-RTM and PeltorTM products that aids hearing protection selection appropriate to the noise level. 3M E-A-RfitTM Dual-Ear Validation System is a simpler measure of the wearer’s attenuation level. The hearing protection fit testing takes the guesswork out of managing compliance in hearing conservation programmes.

2. Reduce the noise exposure

Additionally, when the environment at your workplace is noisy but unavoidable, here’s what you can do:

• Reduce noise at the source of the noise. Use quieter equipment and keep equipment well maintained and lubricated.
• Enclose the noise source or place a barrier between you and the source. 
• Increase the distance between you and the source of the noise. 
• Reduce your time in noisy areas. 

3. Reduce exposure to chemicals that may cause hearing damage

Exposure to ototoxic chemicals may be hazardous to workers' health when inhaled, ingested or absorbed by the skin. According to OSHA, the health effects can vary based on frequency, intensity, duration, workplace exposure to other hazards, and individual factors such as age.

The ototoxic chemicals are potentially found in manufacturing, mining, utilities, construction, and agriculture industries. The chemical found in paints, thinners, degreasers, glues, and engine exhausts can travel through the bloodstream, and once it enters the body, the results can damage the nerves in the inner ear.

If there is a choice, using a less toxic or non-toxic chemical may prolong the lifespan of your ears. However, if that is unavoidable, you should always wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection. This is also a common physical hazard that needs to be prevented. You should also wear a respirator or other protective equipment as necessary.

Our hearing is sensitive, and it doesn’t take much to temporarily impair or permanently damage it