​​​Is your hearing sufficiently protected at work? Six things to know

First of all, it is important to know that these standards vary from country to country and even from province to province, as in Canada. The effects on individuals also depend on ​​several factors such as sound intensity and frequency, the continuous or irregular nature of the noise, the duration of exposure, and individual sensitivity.

To provide a common and reliable reference, Stéphanie Roux, a hearing aid specialist with Groupe Forget, a Biron Occupational Health partner, indicates that the World Health Organization (WHO) sets this standard at 75 decibels (dB) for a duration of eight (8) hours. This noise level roughly equals that of a noisy classroom or busy street.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has set the occupational noise exposure limit (OEL) at 85 dB for eight hours, which is already 10 dB higher than the WHO guideline. The CCOHS also establishes that at 88 dB, the exposure time should be limited to four hours, at 91 dB it should be reduced to two hours, and so on.[2]

In Quebec, the legal noise threshold for an eight-hour work shift is 90 dB, equivalent to a powerful motorcycle two metres away.
This limited data alone demonstrates that it is difficult to establish a strict standard below which everyone would be protected at all times. Ambient (i.e., background) noise fluctuates throughout the day and from one workstation to another. Therefore, it is important for each worker to be able to evaluate the different sources of noise to which he or she is exposed during the day. These sources can be both internal (e.g., machinery, tools, etc.) and external (e.g., highway or airport) and vary over time.

As a hearing health professional, Stéphanie Roux has noticed that employees are more aware of noise problems in the workplace: “A few years ago, we were seeing retired people, but now people are coming to see us earlier in their careers.”

And rightly so, since the earlier hearing loss is detected, the better the chances of slowing it down.

“The decrease in word comprehension can reach 17% over five years for patients who have not treated their hearing loss. For people with a hearing aid, the loss is generally limited to 1% or 2%,” says Roux.

But before it gets to that point, there are many ways to prevent hearing problems:

1. Be aware of hearing health.

While there are occupational exposure limits in Quebec, people need to be aware that hearing problems can start well below these standards. So, if you have to raise your voice at times in your workplace in order to be heard, it may be time to talk to your employer about implementing corrective measures.

2. Control the noise in your environment.

It is important to be able to isolate workstations from noise sources as much as possible by reorganizing them, installing acoustic screens or making any changes that could reduce noise pollution.

3. Do not underestimate the impact of vibrations on hearing.

Noise combined with vibrations increases the risk of hearing damage.

4. Take into account rest periods.

The higher the ambient noise level, the more the exposure time should be reduced. In addition, peak sounds should be taken into account in this equation. If a loud noise is added regularly to already high background noise, the level of auditory stress increases considerably.

5. Monitor changes in hearing on an ongoing basis.

In a noisy environment, employers should test the hearing of their employees when they are hired and then regularly thereafter. This is the best way to monitor and detect hearing problems early.

6. Use protective equipment.

Earplugs or earmuffs are a good short-term solution to limit noise. However, the CCOHS believes that these measures should be considered temporary until other more effective actions are implemented.[3]

For professional support, we’re here for you. 

We offer a range of services that can help you or your employer provide faster access to testing and health care professionals.

• Nurse triage and post-accident response 
• Health checkup with a physician
• Medical services in the workplace 

If you have any questions or would like more information about any of these services, call our occupational health specialists at 1 833 590-2716.