Hearing protection - when does noise pose a threat to us?

The hearing protection market offers various solutions for protection against excessive noise. In addition to a range of traditional hearing protectors – headphones, universal single and reusable earplugs – you can also find professional hearing protection. Professional hearing protection is one that provides high protection against excessive noise while minimizing the annoyance associated with its use.

When choosing the right hearing protection, it is worth considering the following factors, among others:

· the noise level prevailing at the workstations;

· the characteristics of the workstation and the activities that the employee performs: leaning, lifting, stepping into crevices, turning the body, head, etc.;

·  the physical conditions of the workstation: humidity, temperature, dust;

·  user preferences.

Noise is classified based on its intensity expressed in decibels (dB).

The division is presented as follows:

·  Below 35 dB: the noise level does not pose a threat to human health, it can be annoying and make it difficult to work in concentration.

·  35 – 75 dB: noise of this intensity negatively affects the central nervous system and increases the feeling of fatigue.

 · 75 – 85 dB: this level has a marked reduction in work productivity, and can lead to permanent hearing damage.

·  85 – 130 dB: this is the intensity that significantly damages the hearing organ and can lead to the development of diseases of other systems (nervous, circulatory).

·  Above 130 dB: this level of noise causes vibrations of various organs in the human body, leading to serious damage to them. It can cause nausea and vagus disorders.

Prolonged exposure to noise affects the inner ear (cochlea), leading to hearing loss. Noise can also cause tinnitus, an annoying sound experienced even in silence. These are usually temporary, but can become permanent, requiring treatment to prevent potential hearing loss. It is worth noting that the effects of noise do not appear immediately. They usually accumulate over time and manifest themselves after a long period, causing serious health problems and interfering with the overall functioning of the body.

When is an employer required to protect employees’ hearing?

The employer is obliged to order employees to use individual hearing protection when the noise level is 85 decibels (and above). When measuring devices indicate a level of 80 dB, the employer is obliged to provide employees with protective measures, but cannot order them to use them. ng exposure to noise or mechanical vibration.