Audio/visual demonstration of noise induced hearing loss

Noise induced hearing loss is irreversible damage to the ears caused by exposure to high levels of noise. These recordings demonstrate how hearing is gradually lost over a working life. In the demonstrations you will hear the effects of both noise exposure and ageing on hearing.

The demonstrations rely on comparing how loud the different sections of the recordings sound to you, so it is important do not adjust the volume after starting to listen to the demonstration. You will need to start off with the volume in the first section of the recording set reasonably high, otherwise you will not be able to hear some of the later simulations. The best results are achieved by setting the volume level so that the hearing loss demonstration at age 65 can be just about heard.

The audio files have been tested using in-ear headphones, over ear headphones, and loud speakers. The best results are obtained when used with a reproduction system that delivers a good frequency range. For this reason, built-in speakers on devices such as laptops and mobile phone/mp3 players may not give effective demonstrations."

Noise induced hearing loss demonstration

Audio demonstration of noise induced hearing loss [4 mins - 4MB] (.mp3) [46]

Potential effects of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL)

Above, you had the opportunity to listen to the potential effects of noise induced hearing loss.

Now you can 'see' the sort of damage that excessive noise can cause inside your ears.

Video demonstration of noise induced hearing loss[47]

The clip has been reproduced from "The Hearing Video" by the kind permission of WorksafeBC

 

Link URLs in this page

  1. Noise at workhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/index.htm
  2. Regulationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/regulations.htm
  3. Worried about your hearing?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/worried.htm
  4. Overview - Worried about your hearing?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/worried.htm
  5. Audio demonstrationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/assets/video/index.htm
  6. Overview - Advice for employershttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/advice.htm
  7. Employers' responsibilitieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/employers.htm
  8. How do I assess the risks?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/risks.htm
  9. Managing noise risks checklisthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/checklist.htm
  10. Overview - How do I protect my workers?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/protect.htm
  11. How do I control the risks from noise?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/controlrisks.htm
  12. Use the information from my risk assessment?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/useinfo.htm
  13. Reduce noise?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/reducenoise.htm
  14. Choose quieter equipment and machinery?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/choosequieter.htm
  15. Hearing protectionhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/hearingprotection.htm
  16. What do I need to tell my employees?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/assets/video/tell-index.htm
  17. Employee and safety representativeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/safetyrep.htm
  18. Health surveillancehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/healthsurveillance.htm
  19. Advice for manufacturershttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/advice-for-manufacturers.htm
  20. Noise calculatorshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/calculator.htm
  21. Key messageshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/keyfacts.htm
  22. Overview - Industry good practicehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/index.htm
  23. Overview - Managing noise riskshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/managingrisks.htm
  24. Over-protectionhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/hearingoverprotect.htm
  25. Accounting for 'real-world' factorshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/hearingrealworld.htm
  26. Advice on issuing hearing protectionhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/hearingadvice.htm
  27. Workplace designhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/workplacedesign.htm
  28. Plastic productshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/plastics.htm
  29. Overview - Wood workinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/woodworking.htm
  30. Saw millinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/sawmilling.htm
  31. Air turbulencehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/airturbulence.htm
  32. Planing and mouldinghttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/planingmoulding.htm
  33. Overview - Concrete and cementhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/concrete.htm
  34. General informationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/concretegeninfo.htm
  35. Avoiding impactshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/avoidingimpacts.htm
  36. Music and entertainmenthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/goodpractice/music-and-entertainment.htm
  37. Overview - Case studieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/casestudies/index.htm
  38. Full indexhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/casestudies/fullindex.htm
  39. Sound solutionshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/casestudies/soundsolutions/index.htm
  40. Overview - Resourceshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/furtherinfo.htm
  41. Publicationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/publications.htm
  42. Researchhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/research.htm
  43. Statisticshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/statistics.htm
  44. Overview - Policy statementshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/policy.htm
  45. Acoustic shockhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/acoustic.htm
  46. Audio demonstration of noise induced hearing loss [4 mins - 4MB]https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/assets/audio/noise-induced-hearing-loss.mp3
  47. Video demonstration of noise induced hearing losshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/assets/video/hearingvideo.htm
  48. Noise calculatorshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/calculator.htm
  49. Noise: Don't lose your hearing https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg363.htm
  50. Noise at work: A brief guide to controlling the riskshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg362.htm
  51. Hearing loss - what's it like?https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/assets/video/index.htm

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Updated 2022-02-16