Hearing Loss

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is the primary effect of hazardous noise. Other primary effects include:

• Noise-induced Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS), a temporary reduction in hearing. This is due to fatigue of the inner ear caused by noise exposure. After the ear has a chance to rest, your hearing can recover. However, TTS can become permanent.
• Permanent (or Standard) Threshold Shift (PTS or STS) is a more permanent change in hearing sensitivity. It is a cumulative effect.
• Acoustic trauma: a single event that results in an abrupt loss of hearing (explosion, gunshot, blow to the head, flying objects, etc.)
• Tinnitus: a ringing or roaring sound in the ears.

Hazardous noise exposure can also create physical and psychological stress, such as speech issues, muscle tension, irritability, ulcers, increased blood pressure/hypertension, depression, fatigue, sleeplessness, stress-related diseases, and other conditions. The human body can also feel the vibrations of sound waves and be affected (e.g. nausea, pain, headache, equilibrium problems).

Also, exposure to hazardous noise can have an effect on personal performance, such as safety/accidents, reduced productivity, isolation, annoyance, difficulty concentrating, absenteeism, etc.

Noise can affect communication, preventing you from hearing important conversations (or someone not hearing you), instructions, alarms, and warning sounds.

To learn more about Hearing Protection visit our Hearing Protection Online Training web page.