Insights to help address issues putting the hearing health of workforces at risk

Experts are raising concerns around the hearing health of a significant segment of the U.S. workforce—those of prime working age. It is a signal that the direct and indirect effects of hearing loss are moving through companies nationwide. These issues will persist without action to protect employees’ hearing health. Some employers might not yet have adequate insight in this area, and that’s OK. Businesses of all sizes and across industries can make meaningful progress on this critical initiative with the right guidance to help them choose options that protect their employees’ hearing health.

Catherine Palmer, PhD, a professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh, and Director of Audiology at UPMC, discusses key contributors to this issue for employers and ways they can help protect the long-term hearing health of their employees and their business. 

Discussion with Catherine Palmer, Director of Audiology at UPMC

What are some of the most common long-term hearing effects employees—and in turn, employers—are facing across industries and environments from offices to manufacturing floors and beyond? 

Only about 25 percent of adults in the U.S. who would benefit from hearing aids actually use them. This means that individuals with untreated hearing loss in the workplace are expending much more effort than others just to hear what is being said. This is especially true in complex listening situations (e.g., in background noise, in meetings where speakers may be at a distance, or when more than one person may be speaking). This effort produces fatigue as the day goes on and the individual may feel too tired to accomplish tasks that they would normally do without difficulty or too tired to focus on more complex tasks. 

Various types of hearing loss, especially those caused by sound damage (loud sounds), can be accompanied by tinnitus. Tinnitus is a sound that is perceived by the individual that is not caused by an external sound. Many individuals who experience tinnitus manage the perception or ignore it, but some suffer from this internal sound—making it extremely difficult to concentrate, especially in quiet environments.

Will the increased use of personal audio devices and other modern technologies have a long-term impact on hearing health; and if so, how will that impact employee health and productivity?

Hearing loss caused by loud sounds is produced as a function of “dose.” Dose is the combination of the level of the sound and the length of exposure. The louder the sound, the less time there is until the individual will experience hearing loss. The ear doesn’t know how the sound is being delivered. Loud sound causes damage if the sound is loud enough and experienced long enough, whether the sound is coming from a headset, living room speakers, or your car. The issue with personally worn devices is that you may be listening for a longer time since the headphones go with you. The good news is that many devices now allow you to set them to safe levels or give you warnings if you listen too loud too long. 

What are some daily activities that don't seem like risks, but over time will result in decreased hearing?

Hearing loss caused by loud sounds relate to the “dose” of sounds across the day. It is wise to advise employees to reduce sound exposure whenever possible to reduce the overall dose. The list below (EARS) provides ways to help reduce dose. Ensure that employees who can’t move away from or lower the sound use earplugs and take other steps to reduce dose at every opportunity. 

Ear plugs
Avoid loud sounds
Reduce the level of sound
Shorten your exposure

One option is to encourage employees to download an accurate sound-level meter app to their smartphone so they can tell how loud a sound is in their day-to-day activities. The NIOSH sound level meter app is an excellent choice and easy to use. As soon as the app is opened, it will immediately display how loud sound is in their environment. Employees should know that if sounds are 90 dB SPL or louder, it is time for them to turn down the sound or move away from it. 

Employees with a smartphone and Apple Watch can receive warnings on their Apple Watch when sounds are over 90 dB SPL (or they can set the warning level lower if preferred). 

What are some direct health consequences of hearing loss and how do they contribute to downstream consequences for employers?

Direct consequences of untreated hearing loss in the workplace may include misunderstandings, employees not understanding specific instructions/requests from their colleagues or leaders, and perceptions from others of not paying attention or not being focused on activities related to work. Untreated hearing loss can also cause individuals to miss incidental conversations, which may lead to feeling left out and not part of the team. 

UPMC Health Plan can help

Navigating hearing loss with your employees can be challenging—but with the right tools, you can make a meaningful difference. UPMC Health Plan partners with Amplifon Hearing Health Care to provide comprehensive hearing benefits that help your employees take control of their hearing health. 

Start by sharing the free Amplifon online hearing test with your team. This easy-to-use tool allows employees to screen their hearing from the comfort of home. If the test suggests signs of hearing loss, the next step is simple: scheduling an appointment with a licensed audiologist from the UPMC Center for Audiology and Hearing Aids. With locations across the state, employees will have access to full evaluations and personalized care close to them.

To learn more about our hearing insurance benefits available through employer group coverage, reach out today. Together, we can help your employees hear—and live—better.