Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss: What is the connection?

Exposure to occupational noise such as loud machinery, power tools and gunfire can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL is permanent hearing damage caused by exposure over a long period of time. If you are constantly exposed, such as working in an industrial setting or around loud equipment at work, then this could affect your ability to hear sounds coming from the environment, which means that you may not be able to participate well in social situations or even understand speech if it isn't very loud.

Preventing noise related injury:

• The first way we might want to prevent this type of injury is through education for those who work with these types of machines every day; safety measures should always come before productivity.
• The next step would be using protective devices including earplugs and/or muffs when working on product lines where there are loud machines or tools.
• The last way to prevent this is through training for those who are exposed to levels of noise that could cause injury over time; these people should be learning how their body responds and reacts to sound as well as the decibel level which can lead them towards unfortunate accidents.

There are so many ways we might want to prevent hearing loss due to occupational exposure, but education would be the number one choice. It is important to make both employers and employees aware of the risks that come with prolonged exposure to loud noises, and the importance of making available protective gear.