When you think of dangerous jobs, you may think about getting hurt physically on the job, falling ill or even meeting your demise. Sure, there are many jobs out there that pose that kind of risk, but a growing type of workplace injury is hearing damage, and it’s much more prevalent than you may think. Chances are, you get fulfillment from your job no matter what it is, whether in construction or agriculture. But with these jobs come the risk of hearing loss, so be sure to take the proper precautions. We’ll go through the most common jobs that can have a negative impact on your hearing and what you can do about it.
Farming
Although farmers may derive much satisfaction out of growing their own crops to feed the masses, an unfortunate side effect of on-the-job farm operation is hearing damage. Agriculture, another valuable industry on which many people rely for sustenance, unfortunately puts them at risk of daily noises generated by plows and tractors that equal or exceed the 85 decibels capable of incurring hearing loss.
Military
Loud, distractive noises occur all over a military base or war zone, what with the constant construction, guns, machinery and explosives going off. This makes the military possess one of the noisiest work environments in the world. The incidence of hearing loss is high in this field because many in the armed forces are subjected to the sounds of weapons training and the loud operation of tanks. Veterans often come home from war or training with acoustic trauma, a form of hearing damage.
Ground Workers at Airports
Airports are incredibly loud places even if you’re just sitting in the terminal. Imagine how those ground workers on the runway must feel! If they didn’t wear head phones, they would have even higher rates of hearing loss than they do. The noise of a large jet taking off can reach about 160 decibels — double the rate of 85. Any higher than 85, you risk hearing loss, especially if you work within the commercial and military plane industry.
Club Employee
You may not think about it much, but those who work in nightclubs don’t have as much fun as you do on a Friday night. Between everyone screaming to be heard and the DJ’s pulse-pounding music, this fun destination on the weekend actually leads to hearing damage in club workers. DJs, bouncers, bartenders and waitresses all risk their hearing health to be part of the operation of these establishments.
Mining
This demanding yet necessary job, posing many risks on top of hearing loss, can incur hearing damage because of the confinement to small spaces while working with all sorts of machinery. This is a job that provides a valuable service with the production of raw materials and fuel needed to heat homes, but the negative aspect to it is the potential for hearing damage from the loud noises within small spaces.
Construction
Between the constant sawing of boards and the shrill sound of nail guns, construction workers are exposed to a lot of acute noise trauma on a daily basis. When possible, they should definitely wear ear plugs or noise dampening headphones to stay safe while working.