Many adults experience hearing loss over time from natural causes, such as aging. Even technology is working diligently to make it easier for aging adults to address hearing disabilities early on with hearing aids, special headphones and other listening devices.
However, there are ways to accelerate the healing loss process (even start the process altogether) through your workplace. Certain offices, such as warehouses or airports, create an extreme amount of noise where employees can damage their hearing without proper protection.
Four ways to prevent hearing damage in the workplace
Before filing for any workers’ compensation, it’s best to find ways to prevent hearing loss on the job. There are a few simple steps employees and employers can take, such as:
- Wear noise-canceling headphones – Most workplaces offer noise-canceling headphones to drown out some of the problematic noise pollutions in your environment.
- Do not stick anything in your ear canal – In desperate situations, some workers may try to stick cotton swabs or other devices in their ear canal to drown out noise or clean their ears. You must avoid this at any cost.
- Invest in earplugs – If noise-canceling headphones are too expensive, you may want to invest in a sturdy pair of earplugs. You can find industrial-level earplugs at most hardware stores or through your managers.
- Use ear protection outside of work – If you are worried about your hearing, it’s important to use hearing protection outside of work as well. Whether it’s at bars, concerts or loud parties, try to implement these devices to help protect your hearing in the long term.
What if this doesn’t stop hearing damage?
It’s critical to note that if you can tell your hearing gets worse or causes issues at work, visit a doctor or medical professional to determine the best course of action for your lifestyle.
You can also seek compensation under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws. You need to establish that the damage is from your work environment, but if you can, you will be entitled to benefits such as covering medical costs or lost wages. Make sure to seek medical attention right away if this is the case.