Your overall health and quality of life depend on it
You know this already, but let’s put it out there — job sites are noisy. The building trades and energy industry both have their fair share of machines, tools, and chemicals.
For example, one study found that more than half of older construction workers (including retirees) have some hearing loss.
And per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), one in four mine workers has hearing loss. By retirement, hearing loss is present in four out of five mine workers.
You might think, “OK – it’s just my hearing.” But hearing loss impacts your safety and so much more.
Machine and Tool Sounds
You know how the tools (and machines) of your trade sound — so you also know when something sounds wrong. Hearing loss, though, can cloud or even mask those telltale noises warning you of malfunction or worse.
Environmental Sounds
You also know how your jobsite is supposed to sound, like those environmental noises you don’t even notice anymore — until they’re different or missing.
The constant thrum of transport vehicles, elevators, and other machines lets you know things are as they should be. Hearing loss can rob of you that critical awareness.
Risk of Falls
Hearing loss boosts your chances of an accidental fall — even mild hearing loss triples your risk. Plus, for every 10 decibels your hearing loss increases, your fall risk increases 140 percent.
Risk of Cognitive Decline
Untreated hearing loss has long been linked to increased risk of cognitive decline — that is, difficulty with thinking, memory, concentration, and other brain functions. But what’s becoming clearer is the strong possibility that treating your hearing loss can lower that risk.
Quality of life
Hearing loss affects every corner of your life. In fact, one study found that social, family, and work life, as well as mental health, suffered because of untreated hearing loss. But treating hearing loss improved all those life dimensions.
Are you, or a loved one, in the building or energy trade? Schedule a hearing check today — or inform others of why they should.