Noise - damaging your hearing and your well-being

Surveys indicate that noise is the main reason for bad hearing among adults. Noise is all around us at most hours of the day, often resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus.

Many countries recommend a daily exposure to noise levels of less than 85 dB, but from time to time we are all exposed to higher noise levels than the highest recommended levels. Daily exposure to excessive noise in the workplace is the primary factor in many cases of hearing loss in the working population. In Germany, for example, there are more than 6,000 new cases of work related hearing loss a year. Teachers, construction workers and farmers are among those most at risk of suffering work related hearing damage. But the dangers extend way beyond the workplace. At home and at play you find further risks of hearing damage. The increased noise levels in our daily life also make tinnitus widespread. More and more incidents of hearing loss and tinnitus are reported among young people and others with high levels of noise consumption. In these pages you will find useful information about the impact of noise on our hearing, how little it takes to cause permanent damage, and what you can do to protect your hearing.