Introduction:
According to Ministry of Human Resources, the statistics from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) revealed that noise induced hearing loss is the highest hazard in 2012 with a total of 956 cases reported. This number increased compared to 2011 which recorded 867 cases. And in 2016, a total of 2876 cases were reported as a result of the investigation by the Department Department Of Occupational Safety And Health Malaysia. This fact indicates that exposure to noise have always been a major challenge in the employment sector.
Noise induced hearing loss occurs when we are exposed to loud noise on certain duration or excessive noise levels such as heavy sound machines or machinery in the workplace.In general, listening to noise at work place in a short time and not repeated, is not a major threat to hearing. Only if the noise exposure is repeated then it will lead to permanent hearing loss. Sometimes it also happens to a teacher who is teaching in a noisy class or a person who is exposed to long and loud sounds of television. In 1998, the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) has issued a standard sound level and time frame allowed for noise exposure at work. Standards are as follows:
Symptoms:
The early symptoms of noise induced hearing loss are:
Effects and Complications:
A person suffering from noise induced hearing loss may also experience a variety of difficulties and problems as follows:
Who are at Risks?
A worker who may be exposed to this problem is as follows:
Preventive Measures:
Noise induced hearing loss is a permanent hearing damage and difficult to be solved. DOSH has developed a policy to provide a healthy work environment for employees and employers. Therefore, it is a responsibility of the employer and employees to ensure implement the healthy and safe work environment.The acts that have been enforced by DOSH are the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 and the Factories and Machinery Act 1967.Noise from the work environment is indeed difficult to control. However, this can be prevented in several ways such as:
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Safety sign of hearing protection device |
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Ear muff Source : http://www.sharpesafety.com/ |
Ear plug Source : http://www.earplugstore.com/ |
Diagnosis:
If there is any signs of having hearing problems caused by noise sounds, here are the guidelines to follow:
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Few types of Hearing Aids |
Few types of Hearing Aids:
Many are wondering whether they can still work after being diagnosed with this disease. The answer is yes. You can work but with a few conditions:
Remember, prevention is better than cure.
Prepared by:
Dr Siti Noor Azlidah Bt Ali
(Occupational Health Doctor PKU)
References:
Date of Input: 26/12/2019 | Updated: 26/10/2023 | izzatussofia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 Serdang
Selangor Darul Ehsan.