Although everyone can be affected by noise, construction, manufacturing and engineering are just a few of the sectors which noise is a major health and safety hazard at work. Using noisy power tools such as pneumatic impact tools or explosive sources that produce a high level of sound can lead to a high-risk environment with regards to hearing problems. An estimated 17,000 workers in the UK suffered with work-related hearing problems from 2017/18 - 2019/201.
With years of experience in the hearing protection sector, Arco has put together statistics on hearing loss to uncover the extent of the problem and highlight why reduction and protection are necessary when it comes to noise levels.
Here are a few statistics on hearing loss:
More than 12 million people in the UK suffer from hearing loss, that's 1 in 5 adults2
More than 900,000 people are severely or profoundly deaf3
4.4 million people are of working age (16–64 years old)3
8 million are aged 60 or over3
More than 40% of people over the age of 50 have hearing loss2
7.1 million adults are living with tinnitus2
And it's set to get worse…3
An estimated 15.6 million people will suffer with hearing loss by 2035
If lower employment rates for those with hearing loss is not addressed, by 2030 the UK economy will lose £38.6bn per year in potential economic output
According to NHS England, the World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030 adult onset hearing loss will be in the top ten disease burdens, above cataracts and diabetes
Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline and Dementia
Hearing loss is a prevalent age-related disorder. As the fourth leading cause of years lived with disability in the global population.
It is estimated to affect one in three adults aged 65 and older, with this statistic growing annually
Hearing impairment has debilitating consequences on functional ability and social and emotional welfare. Deteriorations in hearing impact on individuals' ability to communicate with others, which in turn can result in feelings of frustration, isolation, loneliness
Another significant effect of hearing loss is that of increased risk of cognitive decline or dementia
A meta-analysis published by the Lancet Commission showed that hearing loss can almost double the risk of incident dementia (RR 1.94, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.73)(7)4
Read more about the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and how accurate and regular risk assessments can help control and manage the levels of noise in your workplace.
Have a look at the potential hazards and risks (including noise-induced hearing loss) that can come from unchecked noise levels at work - and how overprotection can be a hazard too.