Noise Induced Hearing loss is the #1 work related disease in Australia!

Workplace and recreational noise are the most common source of noise injury and, according to the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgeons (ASOHNS), the most common form of preventable hearing loss in the western world.

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is a significant health and economic problem in Australia. Between July 2002 and June 2007 there were about 16 500 successful workers’ compensation claims for industrial deafness involving permanent impairment due to noise.

The facts about noise induced hearing loss:

• It cannot be cured
• It is an invisible injury
• It generally causes no pain
• There are no noticeable symptoms to warn a person about hearing loss
• Once hearing has been lost, it cannot be re-gained, but
• It is 100% preventable

Those in Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Mining, Construction and Manufacturing are the most active in this area. Ensure you wear accredited Personal Hearing Protection at all times around noise.

Remember – even with a hearing loss it is important to maintain and protect what you have left.