Exposure to loud noises causes damage that lasts
Tinnitus usually manifests as a noise in the ear or in the head, like a hissing, buzzing, high-pitched whistling or ringing which can come and go, or remain with the sufferer all the time. It can cause sleeplessness, depression, anxiety and poor concentration and is a condition with which around 10% of the population live and struggle every day.
Working with noisy machinery or in workplace where there is constant loud noise such as a nightclub bar can expose employees to the risk of developing tinnitus.
The connection between exposure to loud noise in the workplace and the workers suffering from problems with their hearing was remarked upon by the Chief Inspector of factories in 1908 when he stated that “men employed in certain trades are liable to have their sense of hearing seriously impaired, if not entirely destroyed in the course of time, as a result of long continued exposure to loud noise.”
Since that time things have vastly improved and workers are protected by legislation which is rigorously enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.
Tinnitus in detail
Tinnitus is caused when the nerves which are used in hearing in the ear – the cochlea, or inner ear – are damaged, and the stream of impulses to the brain which represent what we hear as sound are disrupted. (NHS Choices, 2007)
It is in everyday conversations that tinnitus can be most disruptive. Our hearing works by filtering out unimportant sounds such as background noise and amplifying the more important sounds are amplified, and the less important filtered out. More meaningful words – like your name – will be especially filtered so as to allow you to respond to them better.
With tinnitus, a signal is present somewhere in your hearing pathway, which can go perfectly unnoticed. However, when you do start to notice tinnitus, it is because your hearing filters have picked up on it. This explains why you notice tinnitus more if it causes you anxiety or annoyance. (RNID, 2009)
Diagnosis and treatment for tinnitus
A GP may refer you to an ear disorder specialist at your hospital’s ear, nose and throat department for a full diagnosis. Tests for tinnitus and underlying conditions include x-rays, hearing and balance tests, blood tests and CT or MRI scans.
Many people must learn to live with tinnitus; for others, especially for those with severe tinnitus, the depression that can accompany the condition requires more specific long-term treatment such as antidepressants or talking therapies like counselling.
Generally, recommendations for dealing with tinnitus include using a hearing aid if you also have partial deafness, in order to overcome the tinnitus by listening to normal sounds, or using a white noise generator to mask the noise. It can be useful to make an effort to ignore the tinnitus and concentrate on other things, and cognitive behavioural therapy can be used to change the brain’s response and the individual’s awareness of tinnitus. (NHS Choices, 2007)
Serving soldiers losing hearing
Troops returning from Afghanistan have reported loss of hearing, tinnitus and even complete deafness after serving in the war zone, where bombs, coalition aircraft and close combat situations expose soldiers to sudden, loud noises or prolonged noise. Amid claims against the Ministry of Defence, many soldiers are being classified as redundant for front-line service, with even civilian job prospects being severely compromised.
The MoD is working towards concrete strategies for reducing the risk of deafness in what are extremely complicated circumstances, already issuing ear-plugs to troops. However, while the high risk situation continues to expose soldiers to excesses of volume, hundreds of those lucky enough to return will have already lost their hearing. (Telegraph Online, 2008)