Earplugs are not a programme…

The Silent Harm Behind Everyday Noise

Noise exposure is one of the easiest occupational risks to normalise. It is often treated as part of the job, especially in workshops, factories, warehouses, loading zones and maintenance environments. The problem is that the damage is gradual and permanent. By the time an employee notices hearing loss, it has usually been developing for years.

Noise affects more than hearing. It increases fatigue and irritability, makes communication harder, and can contribute to mistakes when instructions are missed or warnings are not heard clearly. Over time, unmanaged exposure can also lead to tinnitus, headaches and reduced concentration, which affects overall wellbeing at work.

Why earplugs are not a programme

Many workplaces assume that issuing ear protection is enough. It is not. Hearing protection is important, but it should sit within a broader hearing conservation approach that reduces exposure and checks whether controls are actually working.

A practical programme starts with identifying where harmful noise levels exist and which roles are most exposed. From there, the goal is to reduce noise at source where possible. Maintenance, isolation, dampening, equipment upgrades and workflow changes often achieve more than relying on personal protective equipment alone.

A strong hearing conservation approach :

Control the hazard. Reduce noise where you can and limit exposure time where you cannot.

Ensure hearing protection works in practice. Employees need to know how to wear it correctly and why it matters. Comfort and fit are not optional. If protection is uncomfortable, people remove it, adjust it, or wear it incorrectly.

Monitor hearing health. Baseline and periodic audiometry helps identify early changes and confirms whether the programme is protecting employees over time. It also supports early intervention, before the impact becomes permanent and disabling.

Hearing conservation protects more than compliance. It protects quality of life. Hearing loss affects communication at home, social confidence, mental health and long-term employability. For employers, poor control increases risk of claims, disputes, turnover and reduced productivity.

A workplace that takes hearing health seriously sends a clear message. Long-term wellbeing matters, not only immediate injury. And when employees feel protected, they engage better, communicate more clearly and work more confidently.