Today is the 21st annual International Noise Awareness Day.
On 27th April 2016, people, organisations, and governments around the world will commemorate the 21st Annual International Noise Awareness Day. The Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) founded this yearly event back in 1996 to raise awareness of noise where people work, live, and play and encourage them to take action against harmful levels of noise.
Should we care about unwanted noise?
We think so. Our organisation has long been promoting noise control and noise monitoring in the workplace and, as such, we are delighted to lend our support to this 21st International Noise Awareness Day.
It is a well-known fact that sustained and uncontrolled exposure to loud noise at work or in leisure activities is likely to lead to hearing loss. In addition, it may also increase the risk of heart disease. Researchers have found the strongest link in working-age people with high-frequency hearing loss, which is typically the result of chronic noise exposure to loud noise over time.
Noise in its worst form is annoying but does not always result in hearing loss. However, it will make your life difficult and you may experience one or many of the following:
- Loss of concentration
- Tension and headaches
- Discomfort
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia, tiredness and stress
- Social isolation
Raising Noise Awareness at work
Noise in the work environment can be, and should be, controlled. If you are an employer, you should not ignore or underestimate the harm a noisy environment can cause. In the UK and around the world, strict legislation exists and indeed specifies mandatory action levels at which the hearing of employees must be protected.
Our team advise safety and health professionals daily about the legislation and how to prevent businesses being sued for noise-induced hearing loss. We spend a lot of time advising our customers on the different types of instrumentation available from us to measure noise correctly and how to apply any measurements to the current noise legislation. We also deliver noise awareness training on noise legislation and best practice as far as noise measurement is concerned.
So, how will you be celebrating the 21st International Noise Awareness Day?
We will be happy to respond to any questions you may have on this subject or on how to control harmful noise at work. So get in touch now by using our contact form.
