WHEC Seminar Occupational noise induced hearing loss

Welcome to today’s seminar on the likely prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in Britain. I’m Dr. Mary Trainer, Head of Science Impact and Quality at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It’s my great pleasure to introduce our speakers, John Cherrie, Emeritus Professor of Human Health at Heriot-Watt University and former Research Director at the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh, and Dr. Paul Litchfield, Independent Chief Medical Adviser to ITV & Compass Group, and Visiting Professor at Coventry University. Both speakers are members of the Workplace Health Excellence Committee (WHEC).

The development of policy within HSE needs to be informed by the best available contemporary scientific evidence. The HSC formed the WHEC in 2015 to provide independent expert advice on various topics, including emerging workplace health issues and assessments of existing workplace health issues.

Today, we’re diving into noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) – an area where our knowledge is still evolving. Much has changed in British workplaces since the late 1990s, particularly concerning better noise control measures and a more extensive use of hearing protectors. However, new sources of noise have emerged, such as telephone headsets in call centers and in-ear devices used by emergency responders. HSE approached WHEC to help identify data sources to better understand the likely prevalence of occupational NIHL across British industry.

Before we begin, I want to mention that this seminar will be recorded, and we will have a Q&A session afterward. Please use the Q&A tab to submit your questions, and feel free to vote on questions that you’d like answered first.

Understanding Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Let’s kick things off with John Cherrie, who will outline key elements of the report on the prevalence of NIHL across British industry.

The Outline of the Current Situation

As Mary mentioned, our focus today is on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The overwhelming data sources that HSE uses to determine workplace NIHL include:

• The Labour Force Survey: This presents self-reported data, capturing individuals who claim to suffer from hearing loss. In the period from 2018 to 2021, around 14,000 workers reported new or longstanding NIHL. However, the most recent figures have indicated this number may be around 11,000.
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB): In 2019, there were 95 new awards for occupational deafness, a significant drop from previous years, which has been influenced by various factors including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, a medical report from the late 1990s indicated that over 480,000 individuals experienced noise-related hearing loss or tinnitus attributed to work. This variance underscores the complexity of understanding NIHL prevalence.

Sources of Data and Analysis

To gain a deeper insight into NIHL prevalence, we explored various sources:

• Personal Injury Claims: These claims against employers for workplace noise-induced injuries have decreased from 30,000 claims per year two decades ago to around 15,000 in 2014. Due to legal changes, data collection has since become complex.
• Clinical Reporting Schemes: Schemes like Opera and Osa have provided incidence data, although both sources exhibit limitations regarding temporal changes in reporting frequency and incidence.

The Mechanisms of Hearing Loss

It's crucial to differentiate between two main categories of hearing loss:

The commonest type of NIHL is sensory neural, where noise exposure leads to damage in the inner ear's hair cells, ultimately resulting in hearing loss.

Characteristics and Prevalence of Hearing Loss

We also looked into age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) as a significant factor, with a notable difference in prevalence based on individuals’ occupations. As we transition into the competitive job environment, particularly with noise exposure linked to technology and machinery, understanding the dynamics of these developments is critical.

Our Findings and Recommendations

Our findings indicate a likely decrease in prevalence of NIHL over the past 40 years. The recommendations laid out for HSE include the following:

1. Conduct a modeling study to estimate hearing loss and occupational noise-induced hearing loss among the British population.
2. Create a noise job exposure matrix linking job titles to potential noise exposure levels.
3. Systematically collect noise exposure data from various industries to enhance understanding of potential risks.

The complexity surrounding the relationship between noise exposure and hearing loss requires ongoing research and refined methodologies to bolster our understanding of occupational NIHL. By addressing these gaps, we can better inform policy and enhance workplace safety across the board.

Conclusion

Thank you for attending this informative seminar. The robust discussions led by our esteemed speakers shed considerable light on the complexities of occupational noise-induced hearing loss, emphasizing both the importance of current data and addressing future challenges. We hope you find the information beneficial in your pursuits for improved workplace standards.