About this factsheet

This factsheet is part of our healthcare range. It is written for people who would like to know how to protect their hearing and prevent hearing loss and tinnitus caused by excessive or loud noise. You may also find this factsheet useful if you have noise-induced hearing loss or noise-induced tinnitus and would like to know more about your condition.

Tinnitus is a medical term to describe noise(s) that people can hear in one ear, both ears or in the head – such as ringing, buzzing or whistling. The sounds heard can vary from person to person, but the common link is that they do not have an external source.

Read this factsheet to find out:

How do we hear?

The ears are your organs of hearing and balance. They have three sections:

Soundwaves enter the outer ear (the pinna and external ear canal) and travel down the ear canal until they reach the eardrum. The sound makes our eardrum vibrate, and this passes the soundwaves into the middle ear. The middle ear is an air-filled space that links the outer ear with the inner ear.

Within the middle ear there is a chain of three tiny bones stretching from the eardrum to the cochlea (the hearing organ within the inner ear). It is these three bones that pick up the vibrations of the eardrum and mechanically conduct the soundwaves through the middle ear to the cochlea.
 
The cochlea is a fluid-filled chamber that looks a bit like a snail shell. When the soundwaves enter the cochlea, the fluid moves and tiny sensory cells called hair cells pick up the movement and trigger an electrical signal in the auditory nerve. There are more than 15,000 hair cells in the cochlea and they get their name from tufts that stick out of the top. Different hair cells pick up different parts of the sound spectrum depending on where they are positioned in the cochlea. The auditory nerve then passes electrical signals to the brain, which recognises them as sounds.

What are the different types of hearing loss?

There are two main types of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural. Some people have conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, known as a mixed hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is due to a mechanical blockage or failure preventing sound vibrations from passing freely through the outer or middle ear. For example, sound will not be passed to the cochlea properly if the eardrum or middle ear bones are damaged, or if there is a build up of wax in the ear canal.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells in the cochlea. These cells cannot be repaired or replaced. Another cause of sensorineural hearing loss is damage to the auditory nerve, though this happens very rarely.

There are also different degrees of hearing loss, ranging from a mild hearing loss to a profound hearing loss.

Recruitment

One effect of sensorineural hearing loss is ‘recruitment’. This means that you find it difficult to hear quiet sounds, yet find loud sounds uncomfortable. For more information, see our factsheets "Loudness recruitment and hearing aids (opens new browser window)" and "Hyperacusis (opens new browser window)".

How does noise cause hearing loss?

What happens is that noise damages the sensitive hair cells in the cochlea. The loss of hearing is likely to become permanent if your exposure to noise is long or is repeated on a regular basis.

Temporary hearing loss

This is sometimes referred to as a ‘temporary threshold shift’. You are likely to notice this as a temporary dullness in your hearing after you have been exposed to loud noise. Your hearing may recover, normally within about two days. But this can vary depending on the loudness of the noise, and how long you were exposed to it. Temporary dullness of hearing is a sign that you have put your hearing system under stress. If you continue to expose your ears to such high noise levels, you risk permanent damage and permanent hearing loss.

Permanent hearing loss

This is sometimes referred to as a ‘permanent threshold shift’. If your hearing does not recover completely within two days, the remaining loss is considered to be permanent. Your hearing can be affected permanently due to either long exposure to noise or sudden acoustic trauma.

Noise-induced hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud noise

This happens when you have been regularly exposed to damaging levels of noise over a long period of time. You gradually get a sensorineural hearing loss that is usually most severe in the high frequencies. The hearing loss will be similar in each ear and will get worse if you continue to be exposed to the noise. Sometimes, you will not notice the effect on your hearing until years after you were first exposed to the noise.

Acoustic trauma

This happens when you are exposed to a very high sound level for a short time – for example, to an explosion or a gunshot. This type of sound can cause a sudden hearing loss that is often more severe in the ear closest to the sound. Any resulting hearing loss will usually be sensorineural. In some cases, a very intense sound can perforate your eardrum (cause a rupture or a hole in it). However, there is a good chance this will heal in time.

Tinnitus caused by noise

Sometimes, tinnitus is the first sign that your ear has been damaged by noise. You may get tinnitus before you notice any effect on your hearing. The tinnitus can occur suddenly or very gradually. For some people, it can be temporary, but continued exposure to loud noise may make it permanent. Contact the RNID Tinnitus Helpline for information about how to manage noise-induced tinnitus.

How can I tell if sounds are too loud?

If you can’t talk to people about two metres away without shouting because of background noise, it could mean noise levels are hazardous.

If you have ever been to a club or concert and found you cannot hear properly for a few hours afterwards, or if you have had ringing in your ears, that is a sign the sound was loud enough to damage your ears permanently, if you go to these places often. You may already have developed a slight, but permanent, hearing loss. If the level of sound hurts your ears, you should leave.

Noise levels are usually measured in dB(A), a decibel scale that reflects the sensitivity of human ears to different levels and pitches of sound. Here are some examples:

Prolonged exposure to sounds over 80 dB(A) can damage your ears.

How does noise exposure affect hearing?

When you have a hearing test, the chart that shows your hearing levels is known as an audiogram. If your hearing loss is caused by exposure to noise, tests will produce a characteristic pattern. The typical pattern consists of a ‘dip’ in your hearing in the high frequencies (at around 3-4 kHz), which means that you can’t hear these pitches as well as others. If the noise exposure continues, this dip in your audiogram will spread and affect lower and higher frequencies too.

You may not notice your hearing loss, particularly to begin with. As it gets worse and affects a wider frequency range, you will find it difficult to follow conversations if there is background noise. Later you may find it difficult to follow what someone is saying even in a quiet room.

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)

Most people find their hearing gets worse as they get older. This is a condition called age-related hearing loss or presbycusis. If you have a noise-induced hearing loss and you develop presbycusis too, the combination may mean that your hearing loss is worse than it would have been just from getting older. Because of the noise exposure, you will also probably notice a hearing loss much earlier than someone who was not exposed to noise, and so it will have a greater effect on your life.

For more information, see our leaflet "Is your hearing going? (opens new browser window)". If you are at all worried that you might be losing your hearing, you should go to your GP.

What can I do about noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus?

It is almost always worth trying a hearing aid if you have a hearing loss that affects your quality of life. It could improve your hearing in a range of everyday situations, make conversations easier and reduce your awareness of any tinnitus. However, hearing aids cannot restore your hearing to normal. Once your cochlea has been damaged permanently, treatment or surgery cannot reverse it, so it is important to prevent your hearing from being damaged by noise in the first place. Wherever you are, loud sounds can damage your hearing, especially if you listen to them for hours at a time. Try to avoid them at work, at home or when you go out.

Loud noise is a feature of everyday life, so you will not be able to cut it out completely, but you can do some things to reduce the risk of noise damage.

How do I protect myself from noise exposure at work?

Employers have a legal duty to protect your hearing. There are laws that aim to protect your hearing called the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005). Details are available on the HSE website. (external link, opens new browser window) These say that if you are exposed to loud noise at work, your employer must have noise levels assessed, and keep a record of the assessment.

You will know that an assessment is needed at work if you have to shout to talk to someone who is about two metres away from you. You may also be concerned if your work involves listening to loud sounds through headphones or earpieces for much of the time.

What should employers do?

Employers should take the following steps to reduce noise exposure in the workplace:

Daily noise level between 80dB(A) and 85dB(A)

If the daily noise level reaches 80dB(A), your employer must tell you about the risks and explain how you can protect your ears. Your employer must also provide ear protectors for you to use and keep them in good working order. Your employer must make every effort to reduce noise levels as far as possible by modifying or replacing equipment and maintaining it regularly. Noisy machinery may need to be enclosed so that the sound is muffled.

Daily noise level of 85dB(A) or more

If the daily noise level reaches 85dB(A), the law says you must wear ear protectors. It is up to your employer to make sure you do. If your employer doesn’t do this, they can be taken to court. Daily or weekly personal exposure levels should never be above 87dB(A) and sound levels must never peak above 140dB(C) at someone’s ear.

Your employer must also keep the ear protectors in good condition and clearly mark ear protection zones – areas where you must wear them. If you do more than one noisy job, this may mean you are exposed to loud noise for longer, which increases the risk of hearing loss.

Hearing tests

If you are exposed to high noise levels at work, your employer should arrange for you to have your hearing tested regularly by experts. Your employer must keep records of the test results and make sure you are told about your own results and what they mean. They must also make sure you get medical advice if you have a hearing loss.

Your employer must take action to reduce noise exposure, for example, by organising a programme of noise control measures. More details of the regulations can be obtained by contacting the HSE (external link, opens new browser window).

What about noise exposure outside work?

Hearing loss can also be caused by exposure to loud noise outside work, such as shooting, motorcycle riding, power tools and loud music. The louder the noise is, and the longer you are exposed to it, the higher the risk to your hearing. The only way to protect your hearing is to reduce the noise volume, reduce the time you are exposed to it, and/or use earplugs or earmuffs. 

For more information about protecting your hearing from loud music, whether listening to it on headphones or at gigs or clubs, visit our campaign website Don’t Lose the Music (external link, opens new browser window) or contact the RNID Information Line.

How can I protect my children’s hearing?

Some toys such as cap guns and electronic toys can produce dangerously loud sounds if they are held close to a child’s head. You should stop your children from playing with toys that make a loud sound close to their ears. You should also limit the amount of time they spend in noisy environments and use appropriate hearing protection if necessary.

What kind of equipment can protect my hearing?

Earplugs, earmuffs and canal caps can protect your ears from loud noise by reducing the level of sound reaching your ears. If you are exposed to noise that cannot be stopped, reduced or avoided, you should use earplugs or earmuffs. We tell you more about equipment to protect your hearing in the sections that follow.

Noise attenuation

Attenuation is the term used to describe the extent to which ear protectors – earplugs and earmuffs – reduce sound.

Ear protectors must provide enough attenuation if they are to protect your hearing. Attenuation levels are measured in decibels (dB). The level of attenuation that protectors provide for different frequencies is shown on their packaging.

Most ear protectors give greater protection at higher frequencies (4-8kHz) than at lower ones – and it is these higher frequency sounds that are potentially more damaging. However, it is a good idea to remember that in real situations, the attenuation is probably less than that measured by the manufacturers, as they will have tested in ideal circumstances using brand-new protectors that fit well.

Attenuation can also be expressed as a single simplified noise-level reduction (SNR) figure. For example, most industry-standard earplugs carry an SNR of between 25 and 32dB.

Comfort and protection

Earplugs are probably best for long-term use, but if noise levels are high, you will need to wear high-attenuation earmuffs.

Earmuffs and canal caps are easier to put on and take off, so are more convenient if you are exposed to noise now and again. For very high noise levels, earmuffs and earplugs can be worn together. This usually provides an extra 10 to 15dB protection than if either is used alone.

Earplugs

To make sure earplugs give you enough protection against noise, choose ones with an SNR figure of at least 20 dB. Make sure that the earplugs are designed for hearing protection. Many earplugs sold by pharmacies and sports shops are designed for swimming or to reduce irritating background noise, and do not protect effectively against damaging levels of noise.

Disposable earplugs

Disposable earplugs should be soft and fit comfortably in your ear. They are usually made of foam, mineral wadding, or soft silicone. Most disposable earplugs need to be rolled between your fingers, inserted into the ear and held in place until they expand to fill and seal the ear canal.

Ordinary cotton wool is a very bad noise protector and is not recommended for this purpose.

Reusable earplugs

Reusable earplugs are made from foam, soft plastic, or rubber. They can be washed and used again. Pre-moulded, re-usable earplugs are very hardwearing, and do not need to be rolled to fit in your ear. But they may not fit as snugly as custom-made earplugs and are unlikely to give quite as much protection.

Earplugs for the catering industry

If you work in the catering industry, you can get earplugs that can be detected using a metal detector if they fall into food.

Custom-made earplugs

Earplugs can also be custom-made to give a better fit in your ear canal. Because they use a mould of your ear canal, they tend to be expensive. However, with the better fit they should attenuate noise more effectively and be more comfortable. They may last for several years and so may be cheaper than disposable earplugs for regular, long-term use.

Musicians’ earplugs

Ordinary earplugs provide greater attenuation for higher frequency sounds, making sounds appear muffled. Musicians’ earplugs are designed to give similar attenuation for sounds of all frequencies. This means that the earplugs protect from the damaging effects of loud sounds, but preserve the sound quality.

For more information about music and noise levels, contact the Musicians’ Union or the British Performing Arts Medicine Trust (see page 18 for contact details).

Shooters’ earplugs

You can also get earplugs that protect from sudden explosive noises such as gunshots. These allow normal hearing at non-harmful levels, but attenuate all high-intensity sounds to a safe level. Some are electronic, while others contain special types of materials or special filters.

Earmuffs

Earmuffs, or ear defenders, look like large headphones. Hard cups fit over your ear and are sealed to your head with soft cushions on their rims. Standard models provide a similar degree of protection to standard earplugs but you can get earmuffs that give higher levels of attenuation. Some earmuffs are designed to provide similar attenuation at all frequencies (like musicians’ earplugs), allowing you to hear speech and alarms more clearly.

You can also get earmuffs with folding headbands, which can be carried around or stored more easily, and earmuffs with neckbands, which can be worn with face shields or helmets. It is also possible to get earmuffs that attach to a helmet, rather than a headband.

Some earmuffs are only activated when loud noise is present. These earmuffs are usually electronic and act in a similar way to shooters’ earplugs. Earmuffs are also available with built-in radio or audio systems for communication.

Canal caps

Canal caps are attached to a head-band or chin-band, which can be carried round your neck and placed onto your ears when you need them. Canal caps are useful for noise that comes and goes.

If you would like to buy ear protectors, see our list of suppliers.

Can I get compensation for noise damage to my hearing?

Making a personal injury claim

If you feel that your current or previous employer has failed to take enough steps to protect you in the workplace, and this was the cause or part of the cause of damage to your hearing, then you can try to get compensation from your employer. If your hearing is damaged outside work, you may be able to get compensation from the party that caused the injury. Compensation is not a social security benefit, but a civil or common-law claim. To get this, you will need to bring a successful claim for personal injury through the civil courts.

You are strongly advised to get legal advice if you want to take out a personal injury claim.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)

IIDB compensates people who have become disabled as a result of an industrial disease or an accident at work. It is non-contributory, which means that it doesn’t matter how much National Insurance you have paid. IIDB is not means-tested, which means that you can claim for it regardless of any income or savings you have – in fact, you can claim it even if you are still working. However, it is restricted to certain occupations that are known to be noisy. For more information, see our factsheet "Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) (opens new browser window)".

War Pensions

If you have become deaf due to service in the armed forces, you may be able to claim a War Disablement Pension, but there are very strict rules about deafness. Some civilians affected during wartime are also covered.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme replaced the War Disablement Pension, but only for people who have become deaf/disabled while serving in the armed forces on or after April 2005.

Recent changes in the law mean that many deafened veterans can now get priority health treatment. For more information, see our factsheets "War pensions and priority health treatment for veterans (opens new browser window)" and "The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme".

Where can I buy ear protectors?

You can buy some ear protectors from sports shops and pharmacies. However, these are often only suitable for light domestic use, and will not provide proper protection against damaging levels of noise. For this you need industrial-use earplugs and earmuffs, which are sold by DIY stores and by shops listed under Gunsmiths, Safety Equipment and Industrial Protective Clothing in the Yellow Pages.

See also our list of suppliers. Inclusion of a product or a supplier’s details in this factsheet does not imply a recommendation by RNID, or suggest suitability for you. Do carry out your own enquiries before buying any of the items in this factsheet. For more information, please contact the supplier or manufacturer of the equipment you are interested in.

Suppliers

3M United Kingdom plc

Contact 3M for information about their range of hearing protection products.

3M United Kingdom plc, 3M Centre, Cain Road, Bracknell RG12 8HT
Telephone 01344 858 000 Fax 01344 858 278
Website: 3M (external link, opens new browser window)

Advanced Communication Solutions

Contact Advanced Communication Solutions for information about Elacin musicians’ earplugs.

Advanced Communication Solutions, 129 Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1PU
Telephone: 01582 767 007
Fax: 01582 767 214
Website: Advanced Communication Solutions (external link, opens new browser window)

Aearo Ltd

Aearo make Classic reusable earplugs, Ear Ultratech musicians’ earplugs and different kinds of earmuffs. 

Aearo Ltd, First Avenue, Poynton, Stockport SK12 1FJ
Telelphone: 01625 878 320
Fax: 01625 877 348.
Website: Aearo (external link, opens new browser window)

All earplugs

All earplugs offers a range of earplugs and accessories.

All earplugs, onezerosix Limited, Wisteria Court, West Hill Farm, Wenham Road, Copdock, Suffolk IP8 3EY
Telephone: 0870 1662 418 
Fax: 0118 9504 277
Email: help@onezerosix.com
Website: All earplugs (external link, opens new browser window)

Audi-Lab

Audi-Lab makes the Sportsmaster customised electronic hearing protector which can cut out sounds like gunshot.

Audi-Lab, Unit 1, Hilltop Shopping Centre, Raheny Dublin 5, Ireland 
Telephone: 353 1 851 1911
Website: Audi-Lab (external link, opens new browser window)

Bacou-Dalloz Ltd

Bacou-Dalloz produces the Bilsom and Howard Leight range of hearing protection products.

Bacou-Dalloz Ltd, Osborn Way, Hook RG27 9HX
Telephone: 01256 693 200
Fax:: 01256 693 300
Website: Bacou-Dalloz (external link, opens new browser window)

BR Distribution

BR Distribution can give you more information about Doc’s Proplugs.

BR Distribution, 3 & 4 Tanfield Lea South Industrial Estate, Stanley, County Durham DH9 9XA
Telephone: 01207 282 806
Fax: 01207 282 007
Website: BR Distribution (external link, opens new browser window)

Chapman & Smith

Chapman & Smith make the Safir range of hearing protection products.

Safir Works, East Hoathly, Lewes BN8 6EW
Telephone: 01825 840 323 
Fax: 01825 840 827
Website: Chapman & Smith (external link)

Green Leopard Ltd

Green Leopard makes custom-made earplugs.

SATRA Innovation Park, Rockingham Road, Northants NN16 9JH
Telephone: 0845 330 4153
Fax 0871 433 7441
Website: Green Leopard (external link, opens new browser window)

Guymark UK Ltd

Guymark makes Sound Censors earplugs.

Guymark UK Ltd, St Luke’s House, Upper High Street, Cradley Heath B64 5HX
Telephone: 01384 410 848
Fax: 01384 410 898
Website: Guymark (external link, opens new browser window)

JSP Ltd

JSP has a range of earmuffs and earplugs.

JSP Ltd, Worsham Mill, Minster Lovell OX29 0TA
Telephone: 01993 826 050
Fax: 01993 824411
Website: JSP (external link, opens new browser window)

Puretone Ltd

Puretone makes a range of musicians’ and shooters’ earplugs.

Puretone Ltd, 9-10 Henley Business Park, Trident Close, Medway City Estate, Rochester ME2 4FR
Telephone: 01634 719 427
Fax: 01634 719 450
Website: Puretone (external link, opens new browser window)

Scott International Ltd

Get in touch with Scott International for information about its Protector hearing protection range.

Scott International Ltd, Pimbo Road, Skelmersdale  WN8 9RA
Telephone: 01695 711 711 
Fax: 01695 711 772
Website: Scott International (external link)   

Where can I get further information?

British Performing Arts Medicine Trust (BPAMT)

Contact BPAMT if you would like more information about the occupational risks to hearing for musicians.

BPAMT, 196 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JF
Telephone: 020 7240 4500 (London) or 0845 602 0235 (outside London)
Fax: 020 7240 3335
Email: admin@bapam.org.uk
Website: British Performing Arts Medicine Trust (external link, opens new browser window)

Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Executive can provide details of noise regulations.

Health and Safety Information Services, (1G) Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Merseyside L20 7HS
Telephone: 0845 345 0055
Textphone: 029 2080 8537
Fax: 029 2085 9260
Website: Health and Safety Executive (external link, opens new browser window)

Musicians’ Union

Contact the Musicians’ Union for information about health and safety for musicians.

The Musicians’ Union, 60-62 Clapham Road, London SW9 0JJ
Telephone: 020 7840 5534  
Fax: 020 75840 5599
Website: Musicians Union (external link, opens new browser window)

Further information from RNID

Our Information Line offers a wide range of information on many aspects of deafness and hearing loss.

RNID Information Line

19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 9000
Fax: 020 7296 8199
SMS: 0780 0000 360 (supported by Lloyds TSB)
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk

RNID Tinnitus Helpline

RNID Tinnitus Helpline offers information and advice to people with tinnitus, their families and friends, and the professionals who work with them. You can contact us for further copies of this factsheet and the full range of our products for people with tinnitus. We also sell a book, "Understanding tinnitus – managing the noises in your ears or in your head", and a range of relaxation CDs and cassettes.

RNID Tinnitus Helpline, 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 6666
Textphone: 0808 808 0007
Fax: 020 7296 8199
SMS: 0780 0000 360 (supported by Lloyds TSB)
Email: tinnitushelpline@rnid.org.uk  
Website: Tune out Tinnitus (external link, opens new browser window)
Available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Buying equipment from RNID

Visit our shop (opens new browser window) to buy products or contact the RNID Information Line for a copy of our Solutions catalogue, which is packed with products for deaf and hard of hearing people.