Hearing damage

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    The UK Hearing Conservation Association: how we work to promote the protection of the nation’s hearing health

    The UK Hearing Conservation Association is a multi-disciplinary association that strives to prevent damage to the nation’s hearing health and other noise-related health conditions through a combination of practical, evidenced and cost-effective campaigns, awareness-raising activities and best-practice advice. It is therefore a great forum for those wishing to keep abreast of the latest developments around hearing health – both in the workplace and in recreational settings.

    By Leah Philpott, member, UKHCA At Work Group  on 14 March 2025

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    Beyond compliance: why noise control must evolve beyond PPE

    Engineering solutions for noise control on plant, machinery and tools are often straightforward, low-cost and bring financial savings themselves, so it’s time employers moved away from the default position of purchasing and issuing personal hearing protection to workers.

    By Gill Cussons, Noise & Vibration Solutions on 13 March 2025

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    The Make Listening Safe initiative: a global response to hearing loss

    With over one billion young people globally thought to be at risk of hearing damage due to unsafe recreational listening practices, the World Health Organization is urging stakeholders like manufacturers of personal audio devices, video game hardware companies and entertainment venues to do more to protect people’s hearing and educate them about the health risks of excessive sound exposure.

    By Peter Mulas and Dr Shelly Chadha, World Health Organization (WHO) on 13 March 2025

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    HSE inspections target hearing protection and noise control failures

    The Health and Safety Executive is currently conducting an inspection programme looking at the adequacy of employers’ noise control measures, while changes to how compensation claims for noise-induced hearing loss are assessed are predicted to result in higher payouts for affected workers. As a result, it is crucial employers review their noise risk reduction approach to ensure it reflects current best practice.

    By Peter Wilson, INVC on 07 March 2025

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    Making room for safer sounding workplaces

    High noise levels in buildings can have a negative impact on workers’ performance and sense of wellbeing and make it harder to hear safety warning sounds and announcements. However, software is available and constantly evolving that can help designers of buildings achieve good acoustic conditions and acoustic comfort.

    By Dr Thomas Judd and Stefan Welgard, SoundPLAN on 28 February 2025

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    Noise-induced hearing loss: time to make it personal?

    This year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) celebrated its 50th anniversary, a milestone in its long-standing mission to protect lives and improve workplace safety. 2025 is also the 20th anniversary of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005). It’s also now a year since I wrote an opinion piece for Safety Management arguing that we need to harness new technology to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).¹ So, what has happened in the meantime?

    By Neal Hill, UKHCA on 28 February 2025

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    Make sure you buy quiet

    Noise emission data from machinery manufacturers can help purchasers identify the most suitable machine when buying or hiring new equipment, but it’s also essential to maintain the machinery correctly to minimise the noise levels.

    By Darren Hugheston-Roberts, TÜV SÜD on 12 March 2024

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    Why it’s vital to take care of your hearing

    Unmanaged hearing loss can have a significant impact on our health and wellbeing, so employers should educate employees about how best to protect their hearing and encourage everyone to check it regularly.

    By Teri Devine, RNID on 29 February 2024

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    Try the shout test to protect workers’ hearing

    Bosses who have to shout at work to get heard may not actually be angry, HSE scientists have said. Instead, they may have a noise problem in their workplace.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 02 November 2023

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    Protecting workers’ hearing: it’s time to change our approach

    The risk of workers suffering hearing damage from harmful levels of noise at work could be slashed by as much as 90 per cent by adopting the latest noise control best practice techniques.

    By Peter Wilson, Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre (INVC) on 15 March 2023

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