Protect your hearing at work: Hearing loss is linked to an increased risk of dementia

Noise At Work

Noise at work can affect anyone, no matter what age they are. It can lead to permanent damage to hearing, and an increased risk of developing tinnitus, a condition with a constant ringing sound in the ear.

As well as long-term health conditions, excessive noise at work can:

• Interfere with communications
• Make warnings harder to hear
• Create a safety risk through less awareness of surroundings

Workers in the construction, manufacturing and utilities sectors are at higher risk of noise-induced hearing loss, as daily operations and equipment used can create loud intermittent noise or continuous background noise. The good news is that excessive noise exposure at work CAN be prevented to protect workers’ hearing.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Exposure to loud noise is the second biggest cause of hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to loud noises and regular exposure to high decibel levels can damage hearing. Loud noises can harm the delicate hair cells in the cochlea, which can potentially lead to permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to a single very loud sound, or from being exposed to noise over a long period of time. The louder the sound is, the less time it takes for noise-induced hearing loss to happen.

Signs that noise levels are too loud at work

• The noise is intrusive for most of the workday, e.g. noise as loud as a vacuum cleaner constantly humming in the background.
• People have to raise their voices during conversations when approximately 2 meters apart, multiple times throughout the day.
• Noisy powered tools or machinery are used for more than half an hour each day.
• Your sector is one known to have noisy tasks, e.g. construction, engineering and manufacturing.
• There are intrusive impact noises such as hammering, drop forging, pneumatic impact tools etc.

Hearing Loss and The Risk of Dementia

Studies have been conducted and researchers have found that hearing loss is one of the main factors that leads to a higher risk of developing dementia. This is because people suffering from hearing loss are more likely to withdraw from social situations and become isolated, both of which are risk factors for dementia.

Nearly double the amount of people with mild hearing loss (at the World Heath Organization threshold for diagnosis of hearing loss) will develop dementia compared to those without hearing loss. The risk tripled with moderate hearing loss and was nearly five times with severe hearing loss. - Alzheimer’s Society.

This research highlights the importance of protecting hearing in noisy environments, including workers who are regularly exposed to high decibel levels at work.

Noise Regulations to Protect Workers

There are minimum standards in the UK that employers must comply with to help protect the hearing of workers. This includes The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 which came into force in Great Britain on 6 April 2006.

These Noise Regulations are designed to safeguard workers' hearing from the dangers of excessive workplace noise. At 80 dB(A), the employer must evaluate the risk to workers' health and offer necessary information and training. Employers are required to provide hearing protection and designate hearing protection zones when noise levels reach 85 dB(A) on average, whether daily or weekly. There’s a strict exposure limit of 87 dB(A) which workers should not be exposed to, factoring in any noise reduction from hearing protection.

Proven Methodology to Control Noise At Work

The 3C’s® is a proven methodology, devised by the RVT Group, to ensure effective control of noise hazards. All three elements must be taken into consideration to achieve effective noise control.

1. Capture the hazard - Position the acoustic barrier close to the noise source (fully enclosing it if possible) to maximise the acoustic shadow area.
2. Contain the hazard - Block the line of sight by ensuring the noise barrier is seamless. You may wish to consider whether an enclosure would be more suitable for fully containing the noise.
3. Control the hazard - Use high-quality noise barriers, with high sound attenuation, to absorb excessive noise. Screening reflective surfaces like walls may also help to reduce noise bouncing the sound over the barriers.

Recommended Engineering Controls for Noise

RVT Group has over 30 years’ experience with supporting projects of all sizes with noise control solutions. We offer sound insulation, barriers and enclosures suitable for the activities you are carrying out.

SOUNDEX® Acoustic Curtains

Certified to reduce noise by up to 32.9dB and achieve up to 98% noise absorption, making it the ideal noise control solution for construction sites. Find out more >

SOUNDEX® Acoustic Enclosures

A high performance acoustic enclosure with internal lighting, a cutting deck and a dust extraction vent. Ideal as a stand-alone cutting station. Find out more >

SOUNDEX® Machinery Enclosure

This all-in-one enclosure presents an exceptionally quick solution for controlling the noise from small portable generators or compressors. Find out more >

MONITEX® Portable Noise Level Warning System

This 'traffic light style' noise monitor provides instant feedback on sound levels. It will simultaneously display the decibel meter reading and flash red, amber or green depending on the dB reading. Trigger levels are pre-set to 80dB (amber) and 85dB (red), but can be adjusted depending on your requirements. This monitor gives an indication of noise levels within the work area it's placed within. Find out more >

If you’re concerned about noise on your project contact us today on -> Book a Free Consultation | RVT Group, alternatively, call us on 0808 281 3150. We are happy to give you free best practice advice or visit your site to perform a free health hazard survey, so you have peace of mind that you are doing all you can to protect workers.

For more information on hearing loss and the risk of dementia - Hearing loss and the risk of dementia | Alzheimer's Society

For best practice noise control guidance - Best Practice Whitepaper: A Guide to Effective Noise… | RVT Group

For more information on tinnitus - The Impact of Noise On Site - Understanding Tinnitus | RVT Group