Workplace Noise: An Overlooked Safety Risk

Noise is one of the most obvious workplace hazards, yet it often receives one of the least urgent responses.

Every day, organizations take action to mitigate workplace risks before injuries occur. A slippery walkway, unprotected edge, or malfunctioning piece of equipment demands immediate attention. But one of the most common workplace injuries rarely receives the same response because there is no visible indication that an injury may occur; there are no obvious warning signs or immediate symptoms.

When a worker gets cut, burned, or struck by equipment, everyone notices; however, hearing loss follows a different path. It doesn't trigger an emergency response or shut down operations. It happens subtly, one shift at a time. By the time a worker begins struggling to hear conversations, asking colleagues to repeat themselves, or experiencing a persistent ringing or humming in their ears, the damage may already be done.

Noise hazards in the workplace

When most people think about occupational noise exposure, they imagine jackhammers, chainsaws, or jet engines — heavy machinery utilized in high-impact environments. But hazardous noise isn't always the result of a sudden, explosive event. Occupational noise hazards can arise from the cumulative effect of moderate noise exposure over months, years, or entire careers.¹

Today's industrial environments are filled with everyday noise sources, such as:

• Conveyors
• Compressors
• Fans and ventilation systems
• Production equipment
• Pneumatic tools
• Material handling systems
• Forklifts
• Industrial pumps
• Packaging machinery
• Generators

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an estimated 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging workplace noise each year.² In many industries, excessive noise has become normalized. Employees may accept excessive noise as part of the job. At the same time, employers may view hearing conservation primarily as a compliance requirement rather than as a component of a workplace safety program. Unfortunately, both perceptions lead to noise exposure being overlooked as a workforce health risk and pave the way for the development of progressive hearing conditions such as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).³

Noise-induced hearing loss

Most everyday sounds (e.g., traffic, household appliances, conversations, music, etc.) are not harmful to hearing. But when noise becomes too loud — even for a short period — or when exposure to elevated noise levels occurs over long periods, the delicate structures of the inner ear can be damaged. This would describe how an individual develops NIHL. Unlike many nonfatal workplace injuries, NIHL does not heal over time. Once hearing is damaged, individuals cannot fully regain their natural hearing abilities. As Jordan Graustark, PA-C, MHP, COHC, vice chairperson of the Concentra® Regulatory, Testing, and Examination Medical Expert Panel (MEP), explained, "NIHL is irreversible and may permanently impact employee communications and safety.”⁴

Graustark, a certified hearing conservationist by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC), stated that early signs of NIHL can include “speech that sounds muffled, a ringing sensation in the ears, and difficulty following a conversation with background noise.”⁴

Because NIHL develops gradually and is often painless, employees may not recognize the extent of the damage until significant hearing loss has already occurred. This underscores the importance of proactive hearing conservation efforts, including noise exposure monitoring, employee education, and appropriate hearing protection. Early identification and prevention can be critical for preserving employee health and maintaining workplace safety and operational performance.

Impact on workforce safety and productivity

According to recent data, one in nine U.S. workers reports having hearing difficulties.5 This could be perceived as a personal health issue, but when hearing begins to decline, the effects extend beyond the individual. Employees rely on their hearing to respond to changing workplace conditions. Performing routine tasks can become more difficult as hearing declines, particularly in environments where situational awareness is essential. Consequences of hearing loss may include:

• Reduced ability to detect hazards, warnings, and safety alarms
• Communication challenges that affect coordination and task execution
• Delayed responses during emergencies and other critical situations
• Increased risk of incidents, near misses, and workplace injuries
• Productivity disruptions and operational inefficiencies

According to Graustark, hearing loss may necessitate workplace accommodations and restrictions on hearing-critical tasks, such as modified job responsibilities or reassigned duties. While these accommodations support employee safety and ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), hearing-related workplace adjustments can also affect staffing flexibility, training requirements, and operational planning. Over time, what could be perceived as an individual health concern can cascade into a broad range of organizational challenges.

Workplace noise prevention standards

According to the OSHA occupational noise exposure standard 29 CFR 1910.95, effective prevention involves a combination of compliance measures, exposure monitoring, employee training, hearing conservation practices, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).6 Employers must implement a hearing conservation program when noise exposure averages 85 decibels over eight hours, incurring costs for noise assessments, controls, training, recordkeeping, and management.6 Employers are also required to provide appropriate PPE to employees exposed to hazardous noise, covering expenses for earmuffs, earplugs, custom devices, fit testing, and training.6 Additionally, monitoring employee hearing is essential, with employers responsible for conducting baseline and annual audiograms, maintaining records, and performing follow-up evaluations for any identified changes in hearing thresholds.⁶ [GJ1.1][LB1.2]When implemented consistently, these measures help organizations identify hearing risks early, support regulatory compliance, and protect long-term workforce health.

Financial implications of occupational hearing loss

Occupational hearing loss creates direct and indirect costs that can affect long-term business performance. Workers' compensation claims are often the most visible expense. For example, if an employee experiences a work-related Standard Threshold Shift (STS) — meaning a medical exam confirms they have lost a noticeable amount of hearing (i.e.,10 decibels or more) in the specific pitches used to understand everyday speech — it may result in a recordable incident and compensable claim.⁶

A multi-state study by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers found that occupational hearing loss claims generate about $60 million in annual workers' compensation payments, with average claim costs of $13,000 to $14,000.7 These costs can include medical evaluations, claims administration, and workplace accommodations. Researchers noted that the full burden of work-related hearing loss extends beyond measurable financial costs and is more difficult to quantify.

Occupational noise exposure has been linked to reduced productivity, diminished concentration, communication challenges, and an increased risk of workplace incidents.8 Beyond disrupting day-to-day operations, these conditions can contribute to employee fatigue, frustration, and lower job satisfaction. Over time, the cumulative impact may increase workforce attrition, particularly among experienced employees whose hearing-related challenges affect their ability to perform critical job functions. As skilled workers leave, employers incur additional costs associated with recruiting, onboarding, and training replacements. OSHA notes that indirect expenses such as overtime, replacement staffing, and training can exceed the direct costs of a workers' compensation claim, highlighting the potential financial burden of occupational noise exposure.9 Noise prevention strategies help organizations reduce claim exposure, minimize productivity disruptions, and retain skilled workers.

Audiometric surveillance: A hearing conservation program essential

Engineering controls, noise monitoring, training, and protective equipment are essential components of any hearing conservation program. But how well these measures work cannot be assumed; it must be clinically verified. Medical surveillance serves as an essential verification mechanism, providing objective data to confirm that an employer's safety measures are working while maintaining strict regulatory compliance. At the center of surveillance screenings for occupational noise hazards is audiometric testing. 

“Audiometric surveillance is a pivotal part of a hearing conservation program,” said Graustark.

Regular audiometric testing allows workplaces to assess the risk of harmful noise exposure and take action before any noise-related damage becomes permanent.

• Audiometric screenings help:
• Establish baseline hearing levels
• Identify standard threshold shifts
• Monitor hearing changes over time
• Support OSHA compliance efforts
• Strengthen overall risk management programs

Concentra medical surveillance screenings

What was once considered an unavoidable consequence of industrial work is now increasingly recognized as a preventable workplace hazard. As awareness of occupational hearing loss continues to grow, employers are placing greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention. Concentra helps organizations meet that need through comprehensive medical surveillance programs. Audiometric screenings identify hearing changes early, support hearing conservation efforts, and help maintain regulatory compliance across a wide range of industries[GJ2.1][LB2.2]. If an STS has been identified, Concentra offers retesting services to confirm the STS, followed by a clinical evaluation to help determine whether it is work-related.

As Graustark noted, “While hearing conservation programs may require investment in noise assessments, training, PPE, recordkeeping, and ongoing audiometric monitoring, the goal is not simply to manage program costs. It is to reduce liability, protect employee health, and support long-term business performance.”

Organizations have made significant progress in reducing visible workplace injuries. Safety leaders understand that preventing injuries requires proactive intervention long before incidents occur. Medical surveillance is a solution that enables employers to take proactive steps before work-related hearing loss appears in a claim, medical record, or OSHA log. Visit the Concentra Medical Surveillance website to learn more about audiometric screening solutions or request services for your workforce today.

Notes:

1. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. About Occupational Hearing Loss. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC NIOSH Overview on Occupational Hearing Loss.
2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Noise Exposure. OSHA Occupational Noise Exposure Portal.
3. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. NIDCD Guide on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.
4. 85 Decibels or Higher: Protect Workers from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Construction Executive. 85 Decibels or Higher.
5. Prevalence of Ototoxic Chemical Exposure, Noise Exposure, and Hearing Difficulty Among U.S. Workers. (2025). Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 67(10). PubMed JOEM Database Entry.
6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 29 CFR 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure Standard. OSHA 1910.95 Standard Page.
7. Elizabeth A. Masterson et al., Workers' Compensation Costs for Occupational Hearing Loss Claims in the United States, 2009-2013. Seminars in Hearing. June 22, 2023. Thieme Connect Seminars in Hearing Page.
8. Xin Gong et al., Global Burden and Trends of Occupational Noise-induced Hearing Loss (1990-2021) and Projection to 2040. Frontiers in Public Health. September 22, 2025. Frontiers in Public Health Journal Website.
9. Safety Pays Individual Injury Estimator: Hearing Loss Cumulative Injury Model. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA Safety Pays Estimator Tool.