Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
Effects of noise on hearing:
Hearing ability deteriorates with age. However, exposure to high levels of noise at work or through hobbies and leisure activities over time cause irreparable damage to hearing. Therefore high noise exposures are likely to cause deafness at an earlier age than would be expected naturally.
You may only realise the extent of your hearing loss when it has become so bad that your family complain that you have the television too loud, or you realise you cannot keep up with conversations. The permanent hearing loss is incurable and young people can be damaged as easily as the old.
So what can you do about it?
Hearing loss is permanent and irreversible. However, noise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable. Your employer has put in place various systems to reduce the amount of harmful noise in your workplace. You will be required to wear hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs. Areas where hearing protection is required will be clearly marked by signs.
Your employer should provide instruction on how to wear your hearing protection correctly. It will only work if used properly. It is your duty, and within your own interests to protect your hearing to wear the protection correctly and at all times if indicated.
Please also be aware that any hobbies you have or leisure activities, which involve noise to a level that you find yourself having to shout above, are likely to be harmful. Some examples are riding motorbikes, shooting or listening to loud music (concerts / pubs / clubs). These types of noise are just as harmful as those at work and will affect your hearing in the same way. You can therefore protect your own hearing by reducing your exposure to such harmful levels of noise outside work.