Noise is not a new hazard. It has been a constant threat since
the industrial revolution. Too much noise exposure may cause
a temporary change in hearing (your ears may feel stuffed up)
or a temporary ringing in your ears (tinnitus). These short-term
problems usually go away within a few minutes or hours after
leaving the noise. However, repeated exposures to loud noise
can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus .
NIOSH recommends removing hazardous noise from the workplace
whenever possible and using hearing protectors in those situations
where dangerous noise exposures have not yet been controlled
or eliminated.
