The WHO publish a new global standard for sound levels to address the risks to one billion people in danger of losing their hearing.
More than one billion people aged 12 to 35 risk losing their hearing because of prolonged and excessive exposure to loud music and other recreational sounds, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
WHO has also published a new global standard for safe listening at venues and events. For health and safety professionals, this issue is important not only for supporting employees who may be suffering hearing loss resulting from attending music events, but also because of the potential risks associated with working in these environments, or other industries that involve loud noise levels.
It is not just those working in or exposed to amplified music who are at risk of hearing loss. Hearing loss can be an issue for a wide range of occupations, including factory and construction workers, those working within agriculture, at airports, and bar and hospitality staff, to name but a few.
Given the global ease of access to devices for personal music streaming, and the popularity of live music events (such as concerts and nightclubs), this is potentially an issue facing any employer, no matter what industry they are in. Clearly, risk assessments and noise management strategies should be implemented for workspaces that involve high noise levels. However, it is a reality that young people may be living with hearing damage, experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus, and employers may need to provide support.
The WHO standard has outlined six key recommendations to limit the risk of hearing loss in high-risk environments:
- A maximum average sound level of 100 decibels
- Live monitoring and recording of sound levels using calibrated equipment by designated staff
- Optimising venue acoustics and sound systems to ensure enjoyable sound quality and safe listening
- Making personal hearing protection available to audiences including instructions on use
- Access to quiet zones for people to rest their ears and decrease the risk of hearing damage; and
- Provision of training and information to staff
WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Ren Minghui says, “Governments, civil society and private sector entities such as manufacturers of personal audio devices, sound systems, and video gaming equipment, as well as owners and managers of entertainment venues and events, have an important role to play in advocating for the new global standard.”
As Dr Ren Minghui says, “We must work together to promote safe listening practices, especially among young people,” he added.
Tips to address hearing loss
- Provide protection from excessive noise levels, such as ear plugs or ear defenders
- Make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded
- Provide employees with information, instruction, and training
- Carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health
- Consider the sound levels of power tools and machinery when buying new equipment
- Undertake a workplace noise assessment
- Organise assessments to identify equipment, support and any reasonable adjustments that can help employees with tinnitus work more easily
- Make employees aware of the various sound therapy products that are available and can offer tinnitus relief
