Safety In The Workplace: How To Protect Your Ears

Safety in the workplace is a bigger issue than many let on. Surprisingly to me, often workplace safety affects people who don't even work at a specific company. 66 people died as bystanders in 2013 (source).

Thanks to a Staples infographic I quickly learned that it only takes 15 minutes to suffer hearing damage. That is roughly 5 songs on iTunes or Spotify. Knowing the number of people I see wearing headphones today I have decided to give you 7 headphone tips that I have found so you can prevent hearing loss in 2017.

1. When working in loud environments, wear earplugs. Check this guide to see if you work in a "loud" environment (source).

2. When listening to music or using headphones at work try in-the-ear headphones so outside sound can not slip through causing you to turn up the volume (source).

3. Limit exposure to noise over 85 decimals. For an easy-to-reach chart click here to see where your everyday noises fall on the decimal chart (source).

4. Try to avoid exposure to noises that are abrupt (ex: gunshot). This can be more damaging than constant noise (source).

5. Quit Smoking. While you may think smoking and secondhand smoke are only hurting your lungs — you're wrong. "It literally suffocates cells throughout your body, including those inside your ear canal (source)."

6. Wear noise-cancelling headphones (source)! Constant low-level noise exposure can produce health issues just the same as loud noises.

7. Follow the 60:60 rule. Only listen to music for 60 minutes at 60%, then make sure to take a break (source).

Do you have more hearing safety tips? We want to know. Comment below to tell us how you protect your ears.

Safety in the workplace is so important. Please subscribe to our blog to get more safety tips and information that you can use to tell your employees about what they can do today to live a better, healthier life in 2017.