By Mitchell Clarke
With almost 40 percent of people employed in Berwick working as tradespeople, Specsavers audiologists are shouting out for a focus on hearing health in light of Tradies’ National Health Month coming up in August.
Statistics from Safe Work Australia show that labourers, tradespeople, machine operators and transport workers record the highest incidence of deafness in the country.
Noise hazards on the job are attributed to the fact that tradies are often damaging their hearing without knowing it.
In the Australian workforce, nearly 20 percent of men and three percent of women exceeded the recommended full noise shift limit of 85 decibels, according to a study.
Berwick audiologist Lalitha Mahendren said it’s vital that hearing health becomes a priority for tradies and those working in noisy environments, to prevent premature hearing loss.
“It’s all too often that retired tradies present to me with compromised hearing as a result of prolonged work in noisy environments without hearing protection,” Ms Mahendren said.
“As well as having your hearing checked routinely every two years, there are a number of preventative measures tradies can take to protect their hearing, especially as the majority of workplace hearing is preventable with the right safety measures and precautions.”
Ms Mahendren said that everyone, particularly tradies, should insist on wearing personal hearing protection such as earplugs, ear muffs when unavoidably exposed to loud noise.
Builder Colin Legg believes his years on the job likely has contributed to impacts on his hearing.
“It’s not until later down the track when you start having hearing difficulties that you think back to those days,” Mr Legg said.
“To all young tradies out there I urge you to wear hearing protection, it seems inconvenient at the time and it is easy to get lazy wearing them, but the long-term damage is avoidable.”
You can book a free 15-minute hearing test at Specsavers Berwick by calling 8768 9137.
