Losing your ability to hear clearly can change so much in your life. Certain jobs may become impossible because you don’t have the ability to easily hear the signs of danger or what people are saying. You may no longer be able to enjoy concerts, the theatre and music on the radio in the same way. Communicating with family, friends and others may also become more complicated.
If you spend time working on ships, it’s important to realize your hearing may be at risk. The massive engines needed to move these hulks of steel are anything but quiet. That’s not to say your employer can’t do things to protect your hearing. They can and they should. Here are some of those things:
Issuing earplugs and ear defenders
Combining ear plugs and ear defenders gives a double layer of protection to your precision hearing. It might not be suitable for every activity, but both should be on offer when appropriate.
Isolating the noise
Acoustic isolation is available in several forms. Employers should use it to isolate the sound at the source and reduce the distance it travels. They may also want to add this acoustic isolation to areas where people will be, to protect them from the sound that gets through the initial barrier.
Reducing exposure
The human ear can cope with lower levels of noise for longer than it can cope with higher levels of noise. Rotating workers and giving adequate breaks can limit how long any individual is exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise.
Hopefully, your employer is taking these steps to protect your hearing, but even if they are, hearing loss might still occur, especially if you have worked in the industry for a long time. Learning about your options to claim compensation for any hearing loss you suffer may help you adapt to your new reality.