Protecting Your Hearing at Work – A Guide for Australian Workers

Whether you work in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, or entertainment, noise exposure is a real concern. In Australia, noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common workplace injuries – but it’s also one of the most preventable.

Understanding Workplace Noise Risks

Australian workplace safety laws require action when noise levels exceed 85 decibels over an 8-hour shift. But what does that actually mean in practice?

Power tools, heavy machinery, farm equipment, and even some office environments can reach harmful levels. The tricky part is that noise damage happens gradually – you often don’t notice until it’s too late.

Industries with higher risk include mining, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, music and entertainment, and emergency services. But any workplace with consistent loud noise deserves attention.

How Noise Damages Hearing

Your inner ear contains thousands of delicate hair cells that convert sound into signals your brain can understand. Once these cells are damaged by noise, they don’t regenerate.

Short bursts of very loud noise (like an explosion) can cause immediate damage. But ongoing exposure to moderate-loud noise causes gradual damage over months or years.

Early signs might include ringing in your ears after work, difficulty hearing conversations, or sounds seeming muffled. These are warning signs worth paying attention to.

Practical Protection Strategies

The best approach combines several strategies. First, reduce noise at the source where possible – proper maintenance of machinery, using quieter equipment, or installing sound barriers.

Personal hearing protection – earplugs or earmuffs – should be worn consistently in noisy areas. ‘Consistently’ is key here; even short unprotected exposures add up.

Custom-moulded earplugs often provide better protection and are more likely to be worn because they’re designed specifically for your ears. They’re especially valuable for workers in high-noise industries.

Regular Hearing Checks Matter

Many workplaces are required to provide regular hearing assessments for workers in noisy environments. These baseline and annual checks can catch changes early.

If you’re not covered by workplace testing, it’s still worth having your hearing checked regularly – especially if you’ve worked in noisy environments for years.

Early detection gives you the best chance to prevent further damage and explore options if needed.

If you work in a noisy environment and haven’t had your hearing checked recently, our team can help. We also fit custom hearing protection for workers across Central Queensland.