WorkStreams Newsletter

Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Prior to World War II, there were very few compensation claims for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Compensation was only awarded in instances where the hearing loss was attributed to a single, specific, traumatic incident. There was little recognition for hearing loss, which developed gradually over continued exposure to noises that was loud, but not necessarily painful or traumatic.

Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is "hearing loss developed slowly over a long period of time (several years) as the result of exposure to continuous or intermittent loud noise " (ACOEM Noise and Hearing Conservation Committee 2003). Loud noise is hazardous to hearing as very loud sounds make significant vibrations inside the ear which distort and tear the very delicate membranes and structures (The most vital area for normal hearing is the inner ear or cochlea. It is the area permanently damaged by noise). The inner ear is unable to sense the sharp pain that loud noises cause. Therefore continued exposure to loud noises (eg. 90 decibels) over a day may produce permanent damage to the cochlea without any sharp pain to indicate that damage is being done.

Degrees of Hearing Loss (www.hearing.com.au)

DEGREE	HEARING LEVELS	IMPLICATIONS OF HEARING LOSS
Normal Hearing	0-20dB	No difficulties hearing speech
Mild Loss	20-40dB	Some difficulties in hearing speech
Moderate Loss	40-55dB	Difficulty in hearing conversation
Moderately Severe	55-70dB	Can hear only loud conversation
Severe Loss	70-90dB	Can hear environmental sounds
Profound Loss	90-120dB	Minimal hearing even with hearing aids.

From 1985 to 2000, in excess of 48,000 compensation claims (5.8% of all claims) were made for work related deafness in Victoria, where at present the total cost of work-related deafness claims per year is around thirteen and a half million dollars. Over the period of 1985-1991, fifty-seven million dollars was paid as compensation for permanent hearing impairment in Victoria, however these figures are likely to underestimate the problem. As hearing loss is not apparent for up to twenty years, the benefits of legislation may not be immediately felt by the employer or the employee.

In order to reduce the incidence of Noise Induced Hearing Loss, it is recommended that the following stages are completed (as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1992):

Stage 1: Identification of risk factors
An employer must identify if there is a risk to employees from exposure to noise and make an assessment of an employee's exposure. An employer must provide audiometric testing to an employee who wears hearing protective devices.

Stage 2: Assessment of the level of employee noise exposure:
The noise exposure limits are, for an eight hour average, 85dB maximum and a peak noise level of 140dB.

Stage 3: Control of risk due to noise exposure:
Before 1997, an employer was able to rely solely on administrative controls (eg. Job rotation) and hearing protection devices (HPD's). Since 1997, the employer has to implement engineering controls, provided that this method of control is practicable. If impracticable, or if engineering controls alone do not reduce noises to below the exposure standard, administrative controls and HPD's are acceptable.

It is recommended that Hearing Loss Prevention Programs be implemented for all workers who are unprotected for eight-hour time weighted average exposures, where the exposure is greater than or equal to 85dB (McBide, 2003). Additionally it is recommended that education be provided to all supervisors to encourage the use of HPD's, provide motivation for wearing devices by praising use, and modelling the use of the equipment and devices.

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