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July 2025

• NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS •

As Better Hearing is Better Healthcare advocates, we are devoted to empowering you to make well-informed decisions. With respect to educational aspects, we are intently focused on how hearing loss relates to your health. For example, comorbidities such as dementia, vision loss, diabetes, and the risk of falls. To widen the scope of our patient-centered mission, this month’s issue explores how hearing loss prevention may be good for your wealth.

Did You Know… the global number of people with hearing loss and percent prevalence by severity estimates indicate 1.5 billion people are affected, which compares to U.S. population of 342 million.

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With this statistical backdrop, unfortunately, those consistently exposed to loud noises are at greater risk of hearing loss. As the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration indicates:

Noise may be a problem in your workplace if you:

Hear ringing or humming in your ears when you leave work.
Have to shout to be heard by a coworker an arm's length away.
Experience temporary hearing loss when leaving work. ¹

As a matter of Public Health policy, OHSA standards require employers to implement hearing conservation programs when noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over 8 working hours, or 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Hearing conservation programs strive to prevent initial occupational hearing loss, preserve, and protect remaining hearing, and equip workers with knowledge and hearing protection devices necessary to safeguard themselves.¹

When it comes to negatively impacting hearing acuities, without proper prevention, noisy places leave harmful traces. Are you or a loved one involved in these industries?

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Given widespread personal concerns and economic impact, there is extensive research studying these workplace phenomena. After all, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is the only type which is preventable.

Reputable research² explains:

HL–Hearing Loss

With a shift away from physical labor and toward employment that involves greater interpersonal communication, the impact of hearing and communication-related disorders on worker productivity increases. Workers with HL face daily employment challenges—communication problems and frustrations, increased fatigue, burnout, emotional exhaustion, and stress—and these challenges affect earnings and employment.

Building an estimate by analyzing wage differential by HL status, Kochkin estimated that untreated HL from all causes in the United States costs $100 billion annually in lost productivity due to lower wages, and that workers with severe HL earn $12,000 less annually than those with mild HL.

HL from any cause is a permanent, irreversible disease that has substantial and profound impacts on the occupational, social, and personal lives of those affected. Individuals with HL have significantly lower rates of employment and lower wages than those with typical hearing, and because HL affects more than 13% of the working age population, the economic impact of this disease is significant.

As a practical matter, how should those at risk factor these insights into their career course?

If employed in a noisy workplace:

Is required testing done to accurately measure sound levels?
Are you provided with necessary hearing protection?
If not, ask for it. If so, do you make it a priority to wear properly?

At the CORE, realize that preventing hearing loss may benefit your health and wealth.

¹ https://www.osha.gov/noise

² Neitzel RL, Swinburn TK, Hammer MS, Eisenberg D. Economic Impact of Hearing Loss and Reduction of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in the United States. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2017 Jan 1;60(1):182-189. doi: 10.1044/2016_JSLHR-H-15-0365. PMID: 2805613

While we take your hearing care seriously, a little laughter goes a long way.

Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

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During the season when Independence Day is celebrated, we should proactively understand how to free ourselves from NIHL. While fireworks are once a year, preserving healthy hearing health should be a daily pursuit.

We believe knowing how important noise-induced hearing loss prevention is, will motivate you to, with sound sensitivity, safely protect yourself and loved ones. From workplace settings to concerts or backyard lawnmowers to busy streets and noisy restaurants, limit exposure to loud sound levels. Please see us for evidence-based testing, so we can accurately assess your type and degree of hearing loss. Via periodic exams, we can track changes and provide trusted advice on how you can avoid irreversible hair cell damage and be Happy to Hear for the ages.

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