31. May - Hearing Protection Day
31 May is officially Hearing Protection Day. On this day, special attention should be drawn to the dangers of noise and the associated long-term consequences for our hearing. The noise we are exposed to is often underestimated. Even a background noise level of 85 decibels (roughly equivalent to the volume of a main road) has a negative effect on our hearing and can damage it permanently. Listening to music through headphones can quickly reach 95 decibels.
The noise can become a considerable stress factor for the ears. If our hearing is constantly exposed to sounds with high decibel levels, this damages the highly sensitive hair cells in the inner ear, which convert the sound into nerve impulses. However, it is not only the volume itself that is decisive, but also the duration of the noise. For example, walking past a main road does not lead to hearing damage, but an evening in a club or loud machine noises at work are a different story. Too much noise often leads to irreversible damage to the inner ear, regardless of whether the noise is perceived as pleasant or annoying.
Noise protection is important for health
Too much noise not only damages your hearing, but also leads to significantly increased stress levels, which can have a negative impact on your health and well-being. Chronic noise pollution, for example, reduces the quality of sleep and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, constant exposure to noise also has considerable effects on the ears in the social environment. People who suffer from constant noise often react less aggressively to social contact and are less willing to help others.
Sick from noise
And yet many people in professions with high noise exposure do not wear hearing protection, which means that hearing loss is the cause of a third of all occupational illnesses, although it is so easy to significantly reduce the negative consequences with the right hearing protection and correct use. There is suitable hearing protection for every wearer and every situation. From ear muffs to ear plugs or customised hearing protection, there is a wide range of options for the right protection. As part of the risk assessment, employers are obliged to pay attention to potential hazards caused by noise exposure and to provide employees with suitable hearing protection as part of their personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition, the employer is responsible for regularly (at least once a year) training their employees as part of an instruction programme. (DGUV regulation 1, § 31).
