Working Around Cars May Increase Your Risk of Hearing Loss

Posted on by Advanced ENT & Allergy

Many people associate hearing loss with aging; however, where you work can also contribute to hearing loss. Some of the most at-risk professions include factory workers, construction workers, farmers, entertainment workers, ambulance drivers, airline workers, teachers and even automobile technicians. This post reviews how working around cars can cause hearing loss.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

A row of cars at a car lot.

Noise-induced hearing loss, as the name suggests, is hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noises. It can be caused by excessive exposure to moderately loud noises or brief exposure to extremely loud noises. For example, sounds at 85 dB, about highway traffic volume, take eight hours of exposure to cause damage, while sounds at 140 dB, the volume of a shotgun blast, can cause damage instantaneously.

Inside the inner ear is the cochlea. The cochlea is lined with tiny hair cells called stereocilia, which convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound. When dangerously loud sounds pass through the ears, it can damage or destroy the stereocilia, causing permanent sensorineural hearing loss and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

What the Research Shows

Several studies have linked working in an auto repair shop or automobile parts factory with noise-induced hearing loss.

One study from 2021 aimed to investigate the prevalence of high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) of workers in an automobile factory so they could provide a scientific basis for occupational health management of noise workers. The researchers collected data from 2,647 workers; 17.2% of whom had HFHL. Those most at risk were male, over 30 and smoked.

A study from 2019 also sought to investigate the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in the automotive industry. Researchers administered surveys and hearing tests to 6,557 participants; 28.82% had NIHL. The main determinants of NIHL were cumulative noise exposure and non-use of hearing protector devices.

How You Can Protect Your Hearing

Protect your hearing at work by wearing foam earplugs or plastic earmuffs from Voorhees True Value, or by investing in custom-molded hearing protection from Advanced ENT & Allergy. Your employer should provide you with hearing protection if you work in a noisy industry.

Call Advanced ENT & Allergy today to learn more or schedule an appointment.