Occupational hearing loss

Occupational hearing loss
Rates of hearing loss in workers in various sectors in the United States by time period[1]
SpecialtyOccupational and Environmental Medicine
SymptomsHearing loss, ringing in the ears[2]
TypesSensorineural, conductive, mixed[2]
CausesIndustrial noise, exposure to chemicals, injury[3][2]
Risk factorsWorking in mining, manufacturing, construction[4]
Diagnostic methodAudiometry[5]
PreventionLaws requiring lower noise levels; personal protective equipment (earplugs); replacing toxic chemicals with safer ones[6]
FrequencyCommon[7]

Occupational hearing loss (OHL) is hearing loss that occurs as a result of work hazards.[2] It may be of any type, including sensorineural, conductive, or mixed.[2] Severity may range from mild to profound.[2] Cases may be associated with tinnitus (ringing in the ears).[2]

Long term noise exposure at levels of at least 80 to 85 decibels is the most common cause.[3][2][7][8] Other causes may include exposure to certain chemicals and injury.[3][2][9] Chemicals involved may include styrene, toluene, lead, mercury, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide.[3] Injury may involve an explosion, sharp objects, or metal sparks perforating the eardrum.[2] Diagnosis is by audiometry.[5]

Measures including laws that require lower noise levels; personal protective equipment, such as earplugs; and replacing toxic chemicals with safer ones are effective.[6][10] In the United States, organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) work to reduce hearing hazards through a hierarchy of controls.[4]

Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the United States.[7] At least 16% of significant hearing loss in adults globally is due to occupational exposures.[4] Among people working in the United States it represents more than half of cases.[4] Industries with the highest levels of hearing loss include mining, manufacturing, and construction.[4] As of 2016 in the United States, 17% of those involved with mining, 16% of those involved in construction, and 14% of those involved in manufacturing had hearing problems.[11] Industries with lower rates of problems include police, firefighters, and paramedics at 7%.[11]

Signs and symptoms

OHL is defined as any type of hearing loss, i.e. sensorineural, conductive, or mixed hearing loss, that occurs due to hazardous characteristics of a work environment.[2] The hearing loss can range in severity from mild to profound[2] and can be accompanied by tinnitus. OHL, as well as hearing loss in general, can cause negative secondary social and emotional effects that can impact quality of life.[12][13]

Causes

Hazards of a work environment that can result in OHL include excessive noise, ototoxic chemicals, or physical trauma.[2] OHL caused by excessive exposure to noise is also known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noise exposure combined with ototoxic chemical exposure can results in more damage to hearing. OHL caused by physical trauma may include foreign bodies in the ear, vibration, barotrauma, or head injury.

Noise

NIOSH sound level meter app using iPhone 7 and external microphone
The NIOSH sound level meter app

Exposure to noise can cause vibrations able to cause permanent damage to the ear. Both the volume of the noise and the duration of exposure can influence the likelihood of damage. Sound is measured in units called decibels, which is a logarithmic scale of sound levels that corresponds to the level of loudness that an individual's ear would perceive. Because it is a logarithmic scale, even small incremental increases in decibels correlate to large increases in loudness, and an increase in the risk of hearing loss.

Sounds above 80 dB have the potential to cause permanent hearing loss. The intensity of sound is considered too great and hazardous if someone must yell in order to be heard. Ringing in the ears upon leaving work is also indicative of noise that is at a dangerous level. Farming, machinery work, and construction are some of the many occupations that put workers at risk of hearing loss.

NIOSH establishes recommended exposure limits (RELs) to protect workers against the health effects of exposure to hazardous substances and agents encountered in the workplace. These NIOSH limits are based on the best available science and practices. NIOSH established the REL for occupational noise exposures to be 85 decibels, A-weighted (dB[A]) as an 8-hour time-weighted average considering a 40-year lifetime exposure.[14] Occupational noise exposure at or above this level are considered hazardous. The REL is based on exposures at work 5 days per week and assumes that the individual spends the other 16 hours in the day, as well as weekends, in quieter conditions. NIOSH also specifies a maximum allowable daily noise dose, expressed in percentages. For example, a person continuously exposed to 85 dB(A) over an 8-hour work shift will reach 100% of their daily noise dose. This dose limit uses a 3-dB time-intensity tradeoff commonly referred to as the exchange rate or equal-energy rule: for every 3-dB increase in noise level, the allowable exposure time is reduced by half. For example, if the exposure level increases to 88 dB(A), workers should only be exposed for four hours. Alternatively, for every 3-dB decrease in noise level, the allowable exposure time is doubled, as shown in the table below.

OSHA's current permissible exposure limit (PEL) for workers is an average of 90 dB over an 8-hour work day. Unlike NIOSH, OSHA uses a 5-dB exchange rate, where an increase in 5-dB for a sound corresponds to the amount of time workers may be exposed to that particular source of sound being halved. For example, workers cannot be exposed to a sound level of 95 dB for more than 4 hours per day, or to sounds at 100 dB for more than 2 hours per day. Employers who expose workers to 85 dB or more for 8 hour shifts are required to provide hearing exams and protection, monitor noise levels, and provide training.

Acoustic trauma can also occur from out-of-the ordinary exposures in the workplace when an impact or impulse sound like an explosion occurs abruptly. When excessive, this force can lead to cellular metabolic overload, cell damage and cell death.[15] The force of that transient sound exceeds the elastic limit of the tissues. The organ of Corti can be sheared off the basilar membrane when the sound coming through the ear canal, middle ear and cochlea exceeds 132 dB. If the sound is more intense than 184 dB, the eardrum is ruptured. 184 dB and above usually comes from military sound exposures, such as with the explosion of an IED (improvised explosive device).

Noise levels and duration of allowable exposure per NIOSH and OSHA
Time to reach 100% noise doseExposure level per NIOSH RELExposure level per OSHA PEL
 8 hours 85 dBA 90 dBA
 4 hours 88 dBA 95 dBA
 2 hours 91 dBA100 dBA
 1 hours 94 dBA105 dBA
30 minutes 97 dBA110 dBA
15 minutes100 dBA115 dBA

Sound level meters and dosimeters are two types of devices that are used to measure sound levels in the workplace. Dosimeters are typically worn by the employee to measure their own personal sound exposure. Other sound level meters can be used to double check dosimeter measurements, or used when dosimeters cannot be worn by the employees. They can also be used to evaluate engineering controls aimed at reducing noise levels.

Some recent studies suggest that some smartphone applications may be able to measure noise as precisely as a Type 2 SLM.[16][17] Although most smartphone sound measurement apps are not accurate enough to be used for legally required measurements, the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app Archived 2021-09-01 at the Wayback Machine met the requirements of IEC 61672/ANSI S1.4 Sound Level Meter Standards (Electroacoustics - Sound Level Meters - Part 3: Periodic Tests).[18]

Chemicals

Chemically-induced hearing loss (CIHL) is a potential result of occupational exposures. Certain chemical compounds may have ototoxic effects.[19] Exposure to organic solvents, heavy metals, and asphyxiants such as carbon monoxide can all cause hearing loss.[20][3] These chemicals can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Damage can occur to either the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Certain medications may also have the potential to cause hearing loss.[21]

Both noise and chemical exposures are common in many industries, and can both contribute to hearing loss simultaneously.[22] Damage may be more likely or more severe if both are present, in particular if noise is impulsive.[23][24] Industries in which combinations of exposures may exist include construction, fiberglass, metal manufacturing, and many more.[21]

It is estimated that over 22 million workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels, and 10 million are exposed to solvents that could potentially cause hearing loss every year, with an unknown number exposed to other ototoxic chemicals.[3] A 2018 informational bulletin by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) introduces the issue, provides examples of ototoxic chemicals, lists the industries and occupations at risk and provides prevention information.[25]

Prevention

OHL is preventable by a number of methods. Stricter legislation might reduce noise levels in the workplace.[6] Hearing protection, such as earmuffs and earplugs can reduce noise exposure to safe levels, but, instructions are needed on how to put plugs into the ears correctly to achieve potential attenuation. Giving workers information on their noise exposure levels by itself was not shown to decrease noise. Engineering solutions might lead to similar noise reduction as that provided by hearing protection, but better evaluation of the noise exposures resulting from engineering interventions is needed, as most of the available information is limited to observations in laboratory conditions. Overall, the effects of hearing loss prevention programs are unclear.[6] Better use of hearing protection as part of a program but does not necessarily protect against hearing loss. The 2017 Cochrane review concluded that in order to prevent NIHL in the workplace the quality of the implementation of prevention programs, particularly on the hearing protection component of the program, affects results, and that better quality of studies, especially in the field of engineering controls, and better implementation of legislation are needed. While the review concluded there is a lack of conclusive evidence it highlighted that this should not be interpreted as evidence of lack of effectiveness. The implication is that future research could affect conclusions reached.[6]

Hierarchy of controls

NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls showing elimination as most effective, followed by substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and then as lease effective are personal protective equipment
NIOSH hierarchy of controls

The hierarchy of controls provides a visual guide to the effectiveness of the various workplace controls set in place to eliminate or reduce exposure to occupational hazards, including noise or ototoxic chemicals. The hierarchy includes the following from most effective to least effective:

  • Elimination: complete removal of the hazard
  • Substitution: replacement that offers a smaller risk
  • Engineering controls: physical changes to reduce exposure
  • Administrative controls: changes in work procedures or training
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE): individual equipment to reduce exposure, e.g. earplugs [26][27]

Engineering controls

Engineering controls is the next highest in the hierarchy of risk reduction methods when elimination and substitution of the hazard are not possible. These types of controls typically involve making changes in equipment or other changes to minimize the level of noise that reaches a worker's ear. They may also involve measures such as barriers between the worker and the source of the noise, mufflers, regular maintenance of the machinery, or substituting quieter equipment.[28][29]

The OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) on noise provides technical information about workplace hazards and controls to OSHA's Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs).[30] The content of the OTM is based on currently available research publications, OSHA standards, and consensus standards. The OTM is available to the public for use by other health and safety professionals, employers, and anyone involved in developing or implementing an effective workplace safety and health program.

Examples of noise control strategies adopted in the workplace can be seen among the winners of the Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards.

Administrative controls

Administrative control, behind engineering control, is the next best form of prevention of noise exposure.[28] They can either reduce the exposure to noise, or reduce the decibel level of the noise itself. Limiting the amount of time a worker is allowed to be around an unsafe level of noise exposure, and creating procedures for operation of equipment that could produce harmful levels of noise are both examples of administrative controls.[29]

Personal protection

Elimination or reduction of the source of noise or chemical exposure is ideal, but when that is not possible or adequate, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as earplugs or earmuffs can help reduce the risk of hearing loss due to noise exposure. PPE should be a last resort and not be used in substitution for engineering or administrative controls. It is important that workers are properly trained on the use of PPE to ensure proper protection.[29] A personal attenuation rating can be objectively measured through a hearing protection fit-testing system.

Other initiatives

In addition to the hierarchy of controls, other programs have been created to promote the prevention of hearing loss in the workplace. For example, the Buy Quiet program was created to encourage the purchase of quieter tools and machinery in the workplace.[31] Additionally, the Safe-n-Sound Award was created to recognize organizations that excel in preventing occupational hearing loss.[32]

Epidemiology

Within the United States of America, approximately 10 million people have NIHL. Over twice that number (~22 million) are occupationally exposed to dangerous noise levels.[33] Hearing loss accounted for a sizable percentage of occupational illness in 2007, at 14% of cases.[34]

About 33% of working-age adults with a history of occupational noise exposure have evidence of noise-induced hearing damage, and 16% of noise-exposed workers have material hearing impairment.[35] In the service sector rates of hearing loss was 17% compared to 16% for all industries combined.[36] Several sub-sectors exceed the overall rate (10-33% higher) or had risks higher than the reference industry. Workers in Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development had the highest rates (50%), and workers in Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators had more than double the risk, the highest of any sub-sector. Some sub-sectors traditionally viewed as "low-risk" such as Real Estate and Rental and Leasing, and financial sub-sectors (Credit Unions, Call centers), and also had high rates and risks.[36]

History

Occupational hearing loss is a very present industrial issue that has been noticed since the Industrial Revolution.[37] As industrial society continues to grow, this issue is becoming increasingly detrimental due to the exposure of chemicals and physical objects. Millions of employees have been affected by occupational hearing loss, especially in industry.[38] Industrialized countries see most of these damages as they result in both economic and living problems.

Within the United States of America alone, 10 of the 28 million people that have experienced hearing loss related to noise exposure. Rarely do workers express concerns or complaints regarding Occupational hearing loss. In order to gather relevant information, workers who have experienced loud work environments are questioned regarding their hearing abilities during everyday activities. When analyzing OHP, it is necessary to consider family history, hobbies, recreational activities, and how they could play a role in a person's hearing loss. In order to test hearing loss, audiometers are used to and are adjusted to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) regulations. The Occupation and Safety Health Association (OSHA) of the United States of America requires a program that conserves hearing when noise levels are greater than 85 dB.

Research

United States government agencies such as OSHA, NIOSH and MSHA are working to understand the causes of OHL and how it can be prevented while providing regulations and guidelines to help protect the hearing of workers in all occupations.[34]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Masterson EA, Deddens JA, Themann CL, Bertke S, Calvert GM (April 2015). "Trends in worker hearing loss by industry sector, 1981-2010". American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 58 (4): 392–401. doi:10.1002/ajim.22429. PMC 4557728. PMID 25690583.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Kim KS (December 2010). "Occupational hearing loss in Korea". Journal of Korean Medical Science. 25 (Suppl): S62–9. doi:10.3346/jkms.2010.25.s.s62. PMC 3023345. PMID 21258593.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "CDC - NIOSH Topic: Occupational Hearing Loss (OHL) Surveillance". www.cdc.gov. Archived from the original on 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Themann, Christa L.; Masterson, Elizabeth A. (2019). "Occupational noise exposure: A review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden". The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 146 (5): 3879–3905. Bibcode:2019ASAJ..146.3879T. doi:10.1121/1.5134465. ISSN 0001-4966. PMID 31795665. S2CID 208626669. Archived from the original on 2022-07-28. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  5. 1 2 Mirza, R; Kirchner, DB; Dobie, RA; Crawford, J; ACOEM Task Force on Occupational Hearing, Loss (September 2018). "Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss". Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. 60 (9): e498–e501. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000001423. PMID 30095587.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Tikka, Christina; Verbeek, Jos H; Kateman, Erik; Morata, Thais C; Dreschler, Wouter A; Ferrite, Silvia (2017-07-07). Cochrane Work Group (ed.). "Interventions to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2019 (1). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006396.pub4. PMC 6353150. PMID 28685503.
  7. 1 2 3 Themann C, Suter A, Stephenson M (2013). "National Research Agenda for the Prevention of Occupational Hearing Loss—Part 1". Seminars in Hearing. 34 (3): 145–207. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1349351.
  8. ↑ "EUR-Lex - 02003L0010-20190726 - EN - EUR-Lex". eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
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  11. 1 2 Masterson, Elizabeth A.; Bushnell, P. Timothy; Themann, Christa L.; Morata, Thais C. (2016). "Hearing Impairment Among Noise-Exposed Workers — United States, 2003–2012 | MMWR". MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 65 (15): 389–394. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6515a2. PMID 27101435.
  12. ↑ Dalton DS, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein BE, Klein R, Wiley TL, Nondahl DM (October 2003). "The impact of hearing loss on quality of life in older adults". The Gerontologist. 43 (5): 661–8. doi:10.1093/geront/43.5.661. PMID 14570962.
  13. ↑ Arlinger S (July 2003). "Negative consequences of uncorrected hearing loss--a review". International Journal of Audiology. 42 Suppl 2: 2S17–20. doi:10.3109/14992020309074639. PMID 12918624. S2CID 14433959. Archived from the original on 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  14. ↑ NIOSH (1998). "Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Noise Exposure" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved Jul 9, 2018.
  15. ↑ Rabinowitz, P. M. (2000-05-01). "Noise-induced hearing loss". American Family Physician. 61 (9): 2749–2756, 2759–2760. ISSN 0002-838X. PMID 10821155. Archived from the original on 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
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  17. ↑ Kardous CA, Shaw PB (October 2016). "Evaluation of smartphone sound measurement applications (apps) using external microphones-A follow-up study". The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 140 (4): EL327–EL333. Bibcode:2016ASAJ..140L.327K. doi:10.1121/1.4964639. PMC 5102154. PMID 27794313.
  18. ↑ Celestina M, Hrovat J, Kardous CA (October 2018). "Smartphone-based sound level measurement apps: Evaluation of compliance with international sound level meter standards". Applied Acoustics. 139: 119–128. doi:10.1016/j.apacoust.2018.04.011. ISSN 0003-682X. S2CID 116822722.
  19. ↑ "The Ear Poisons". The Synergist. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  20. ↑ EU-OSHA, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2009). "Combined exposure to noise and ototoxic substances". Combined exposure to noise and ototoxic substances. EU OSHA. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  21. 1 2 "Ototoxic chemicals - chemicals that result in hearing loss". Department of Commerce Western Australia. 2014-01-08. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  22. ↑ Campo P, Morata TC, Hong O (April 2013). "Chemical exposure and hearing loss". Disease-a-Month. 59 (4): 119–38. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2013.01.003. PMC 4693596. PMID 23507352.
  23. ↑ Fuente A, Qiu W, Zhang M, Xie H, Kardous CA, Campo P, Morata TC (March 2018). "Use of the kurtosis statistic in an evaluation of the effects of noise and solvent exposures on the hearing thresholds of workers: An exploratory study" (PDF). The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 143 (3): 1704–1710. Bibcode:2018ASAJ..143.1704F. doi:10.1121/1.5028368. PMC 8588570. PMID 29604694. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-08-31. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  24. ↑ Venet T, Campo P, Thomas A, Cour C, Rieger B, Cosnier F (2015). "The tonotopicity of styrene-induced hearing loss depends on the associated noise spectrum". Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 48: 56–63. doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2015.02.003. PMID 25689156.
  25. ↑ "Preventing Hearing Loss Caused by Chemical (Ototoxicity) and Noise Exposure" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  26. ↑ "Hierarchy of Controls". SA Unions. Archived from the original on June 23, 2005. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Hierarchy of Controls". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  28. 1 2 "NIOSH - Engineering Noise Control - Workplace Safety and Health Topic". www.cdc.gov. Archived from the original on 2016-07-04. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  29. 1 2 3 "Noise controls (Engineering, Administrative, PPE) | Mining Safety & Health Resource Center". miningsh.arizona.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-04-10. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  30. ↑ OSHA (Aug 15, 2013). "OSHA Technical Manual - Noise". Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved Jul 10, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Buy Quiet". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award". Safe-in-Sound. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  33. ↑ NIOSH (Mar 22, 2018). "Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention". Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved Jul 10, 2018.
  34. 1 2 "CDC - Facts and Statistics: Noise - NIOSH Workplace Safety & Health". www.cdc.gov. Archived from the original on 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2016-03-30.
  35. ↑ Themann, Christa L.; Masterson, Elizabeth A. (2019-11-11). "Occupational noise exposure: A review of its effects, epidemiology, and impact with recommendations for reducing its burden". The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 146 (5): 3879. Bibcode:2019ASAJ..146.3879T. doi:10.1121/1.5134465. ISSN 1520-8524. PMID 31795665.
  36. 1 2 Sekhon, Nimarpreet K.; Masterson, Elizabeth A.; Themann, Christa L. (2020-12-01). "Prevalence of hearing loss among noise-exposed workers within the services sector, 2006–2015". International Journal of Audiology. 59 (12): 948–961. doi:10.1080/14992027.2020.1780485. ISSN 1499-2027. PMID 32608279. S2CID 220284470. Archived from the original on 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  37. ↑ Sataloff RT, Sataloff J (1993). Occupational hearing loss (2nd ed.). New York: M. Dekker. ISBN 978-0-8247-8814-8.
  38. ↑ Al-Otaibi ST (June 2000). "Occupational hearing loss". Saudi Medical Journal. 21 (6): 523–30. PMID 11500698.
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