Builders and those involved in construction are being urged to get a hearing test given the noise they are exposed to at work and the potential damage it may be doing to their hearing.

People working in the construction industry are often exposed to dangerous noise levels – and a leading Australian ear surgeon is urging them to wear hearing protection. Dr Phillip Chang’s call comes on the eve of Hearing Awareness Week 2014 (24-30 August).

“Noise induced hearing loss – i.e. hearing decrease caused by loud sound – is very common in industries such as construction,” says Dr Chang.

“Hearing is a major tool of their trade, and without optimal hearing builders cannot work safely and may not be allowed on site.

“Hearing Awareness Week is a reminder for builders to look after their hearing and get their hearing checked.”

Many building activities are louder than 90 decibels1 (dB), whereby the maximum safe exposure without ear protection is two hours or less. For example, it is considered safe to use an electric drill for up to two hours without hearing protection, but a jack hammer is only safe for 1.8 minutes without hearing protection.

Sound and pressure was the stated cause for more than 96 per cent of Australian workers’ compensation claims for hearing loss in 2001/2012.

“If builders are working next to your house or where you work, you may find the noise disruptive. But for those working on site, prolonged exposure and proximity to excessive noise can damage their ears permanently,” says Dr Chang.

“Excessive noise impacts the tiny hair cells in the cochlea, set deep inside the ear, which are responsible for sensing sound and transporting signals to the brain. Once these hair cells are damaged, they can’t send messages to our brain which means that we can’t hear all of the sounds that are happening around us,” says Dr Chang.

“Because hair cells cannot be repaired or replaced, hearing can be lost forever. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their hearing – from the employer to the builder.”

Young builders can be more vulnerable to permanent hearing loss, not only from exposure to noise but also because young people have been found to be complacent to hearing problems.

In the 2013 Cochlear Newspoll, the survey concluded that 67 per cent of young people with a hearing problem would rather turn up the TV than admit they have a hearing problem.

“Not being able to hear can lead people to withdraw from social situations and can have significant consequences at work. One in six Australians4 are hearing impaired, a figure expected to rise to one in four in 2050 due to an ageing population,” Dr Chang adds.

“Machinery and noise damage affects being able to hear high pitches, which is critical for clarity of speech. Builders need to look after their hearing now.

“Healthy hearing starts with wearing ear protection when there is increased exposure to noise, and seeing a professional for a hearing test. Once hearing is damaged, it will never return to exactly what it was.”

Dr Chang urges those in the construction industry to get a hearing test this Hearing Awareness Week.

“A hearing test is the best way to confirm hearing loss, which can occur progressively and insidiously. It is quick, pain-free and straightforward, so really there’s no excuse for not having one.

“There is a constellation of technological options available, such as implantable hearing solutions, that allow all people to hear better, no matter what their age or the severity of their hearing loss,” he says.