October is National Protect Your Hearing Month — an opportunity to increase awareness about hearing loss and share information about how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL can occur from one intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or when loud noises continuously occur over a period of time.

Exposure to harmful noise can happen at any age. People of all ages, including children, teens, young adults, and older people, can develop NIHL. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyday sounds typically do not damage your hearing. However, many people participate in activities that produce harmful sound levels, such as attending loud sporting events and music concerts, and using power tools, which repeated over time will cause hearing loss.

The CDC shares the following tips to protect your hearing:

• Turn the volume down
• Walk away from the loud noise
• Take breaks from the noise
• Avoid loud, noisy activities and places
• Use hearing protection, including ear earplugs and protective earmuffs

To view the CDC’s webpage on how to prevent hearing loss from loud noises, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/.../how_do_i_prevent_hearing_loss.html

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) offers more information on NIHL here: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss

HazTek offers professional, classroom-based training on more than 75 different topics – including Hearing Conservation. For additional information on hearing protection or to learn more about how HazTek can help, please contact HazTek at 888.842.9835, email us at info@haztekinc.com, or visit our website at www.haztekinc.com

Credit to: NIDCD and CDC

Learn more about HazTek Safety Consulting.