A new association has been launched to help people with hearing problems inside and outside the workplace.
The UK Hearing Conservation Association aims to provide independent information and advice on preventing hearing loss, which affects more than 10 million people in the UK.
According to the Association, more than 1 million British workers are exposed to noise that puts them at risk of hearing damage.
In addition, more young people are also suffering from hearing damage as a result of listening to loud music at events or by using headphones.
It is estimated that by 2021, around 14.5 million people will have some level of hearing loss.
In addition, the British insurance industry pays out around £70 million year in hearing-related claims and there has been a substantial increase in the number of claims over the last few years.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the ‘Noise Regulations’) requires employers to eliminate or reduce risks to health and safety from noise at work.
The Health and Safety Executive advises that companies should, depending on the level of risk, take action to reduce the noise exposure, as well as provide employees with personal hearing protection.
Other duties under the Regulations include the need to make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded and to maintain and ensure the use of equipment you provide to control noise risks.
“Hearing health has for far too long been ignored and dismissed as inevitable,” said Clare Forshaw, Founder and Director at UK Hearing Conservation Association.
“Attitudes to tackling noise in the workplace are archaic and there is a lack of inspiration or innovation to a common, yet often solvable problem.
“We at the UKHCA aim to tackle this head on; raising awareness of the problem and its impact and guiding people to simple cost-effective solutions.”
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