Protecting Your Hearing on the Job: What You Need to Know
At HEAR Wisconsin, we talk a lot about hearing health, and for good reason. Your hearing plays a huge role in how you connect with the world around you. Whether it’s chatting with coworkers, hearing safety instructions, or simply enjoying your favorite playlist on the drive home, your ears are working hard all day long.
Just like you’d wear safety goggles or gloves on the job, protecting your hearing should be part of your daily routine too.
How Loud Is Too Loud?
Noise is measured in decibels (dB), and anything over 85 dB can be harmful if you're exposed to it for too long. For reference:
A normal conversation is around 60 dB
A lawn mower or power drill is around 90 dB
A construction site or manufacturing floor can often be at 100 dB or more
If you have to shout to talk to someone standing a few feet away, that’s your cue, it’s probably too loud.
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
Noise-induced hearing loss usually doesn’t happen overnight. It builds up gradually, which makes it easy to miss at first.
Some common red flags:
Ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
Feeling like people are mumbling
Turning up the volume more than you used to
Struggling to follow conversations, especially in noisy places, and asking people to repeat what they’ve just said.
If any of these sounds familiar, it’s worth getting your hearing checked sooner rather than later.
Use the Right Protection
The best way to prevent hearing loss is by wearing hearing protection consistently. Earplugs fit in your ear canal and are great at reducing noise, especially from sudden, loud sounds. Earmuffs fit over the outer ear and are often more comfortable for extended wear and can be easier to adjust or remove.
But here’s the key, they only work if you wear them properly and regularly.
Quiet the Noise and Work with Leadership
Small changes in the workplace can make a big difference. If you’re able to:
Maintain machinery to reduce excess noise
Use sound barriers or dampening materials
Rearrange workspaces to move loud equipment farther from people
Take short breaks in quieter areas when possible
Also, don’t hesitate to talk to your supervisor, or safety manager, about concerns. Workplace safety is a shared responsibility and it often starts at the leadership level. Employers play a critical role in making hearing protection part of the culture and ensuring safe sound levels on the job.
OSHA-Compliant Hearing Conservation Services
Through our Mobile Audiology Clinic (MAC), HEAR Wisconsin partners with over 80 businesses across Wisconsin to provide OSHA-compliant Hearing Conservation Services, including:
On-site hearing screenings
Employee education
Program documentation support
Our partners trust us to help protect their workforce while keeping them in compliance with federal regulations. If you're an employer or safety manager, learn more about those services here: OSHA Hearing Conservation Services
When in Doubt, Get Checked Out
Like any other part of your health, it’s easier to prevent hearing loss than to treat it later. If you're personally noticing changes in your hearing, whether on the job or at home, if you feel like you are struggling to hear, or if you have concerns about your hearing health, trust your instincts. Our Audiology Team at HEAR Wisconsin is here to help. Give us a call 414-604-7219 to schedule your hearing evaluation today.