As many as one-third of Australians over the age of 60 experience hearing loss – however, it is certainly not a condition confined to later life.
In fact, age is not the greatest cause of hearing loss in Australia. The single greatest cause of permanent hearing loss in Australia is industrial deafness, caused through prolonged exposure to loud noise. And, not surprisingly, men are far more likely to suffer from this condition.
Over the years, millions of Australians went to work in noisy factories, building sites and plants without being provided with adequate protection for their hearing.
Prolonged exposure to noise in industries such as heavy manufacturing, metal work, drilling and quarrying, textiles, printing, wood cutting, transportation and agriculture can all lead to hearing being irreparably damaged. Even exposure to very high levels of intermittent noise over relatively short periods can cause damage.
For many people with industrial hearing loss, the result is they find it really difficult have conversations, and hear clearly, in noisy environments – often because the higher pitched consonants seem to be missing. It’s difficult for them to discern different words over and above the noise and this might also be accompanied by a continuous or intermittent ringing in the ears.
How HEARINGLife can help.
A thorough hearing assessment is the best way to determine whether exposure to industrial noise has resulted in industrial hearing loss.
After providing you with a FREE hearing assessment, HEARINGLife’s accredited Audiologists and Audiometrists will be able to advise whether you may be eligible for advanced digital hearing aids and compensation for ‘industrial hearing loss’ under the provisions of the Accident Compensation Act (1985).
For more information and to make an appointment for a FREE hearing assessment, call 1300 134 097.
Yes, noise-induced hearing loss is the most common cause of hearing damage. Only between July 2002 and June 2007, there were approximately 16500 “successful workers compensation claims for industrial deafness involving permanent impairment due to noise” (Safe Work Australia, 2010). Some workplace environments may be damaging to workers eardrums, and some of the loudest professions are construction workers, musicians, garbage collectors, and landscapers.