Identifying Early Signs of Noise- Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) In tree care, recognizing the early warning signs and symptoms of hear- ing problems is important for all work- ers present on the work site. “If workers notice they turn up their radios or phones after work, it’s time to get a hearing test,” Cushing advised. As the symptoms of NIHL are mostly in- ternal, it is essential for workers to be vig- ilant about their own symptoms. These may include, but are not limited to: •Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus •Muffled or distorted hearing •Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments •Constant pressure in the ear “If you hear a ringing or buzzing sound after work, that’s a sign your inner ear has been damaged,” said Cush- ing. “Even if hearing loss isn’t notice- able yet, tinnitus is your body’s way of warning you that something is wrong.” THE CONSEQUENCES OF PRO- LONGED NOISE EXPOSURE Exposure to loud noises over an extend- ed period can indisputably lead to sig- nificant hearing loss. The damage often progresses gradually, resulting in tree workers frequently overlooking the early warning signs, such as distorted or muffled sounds. “Eventually, many will find themselves on hearing aids to effectively hear and participate in daily activities,” St. John said. “Loud exposure can also trig- ger tinnitus long after the noise has stopped.” At 110 dBA, hearing damage can hap- pen in just two minutes if hearing protection is not worn. A chipper, for example, measures at about 112-119 dBA, emitting the loudest tree care work-related noise.
Once damaged, the tiny hair cells in the ear canal cannot regenerate, making it crucial for tree care workers to wear proper ear protection to safeguard their hearing.
While there are certainly many em- ployers and tree care workers who un- derstand this risk and take it seriously, the delayed nature of hearing damage often lulls people into complacency, said Donna Pitts, Au.D., CCC-A, MPH, a speech-language-hearing sciences ex- pert and associate professor at Loyola University Maryland. “The problem is, when you cut your finger off, there’s immediate pain. But hearing loss is painless, and it takes a long time – like five or more years – to experience a change,” she said. “That’s one of the biggest issues that we’ve al- ways experienced in this industry: Peo- ple are less likely to pay attention to it until it’s too late.” UNDERSTANDING OSHA’S NOISE STANDARDS AND RISKS OSHA defines “hazardous noise” as any noise that reaches or exceeds 85 dBA. Tree care workers are regularly exposed to machinery and tools that produce high-frequency sounds for ex- tended periods that well exceed OSHA’s standards. The administration reported that chainsaws, alone, measure at an average of 125 dBA, while other heavy machinery tends to range between 95 and 110 dBA.
Prolonged exposure to these pieces of equipment often results in what is known as Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). This condition occurs when loud noises damage the tiny hair cells found in the inner ear. And, typically, those hair cells don’t grow back, resulting in hearing damage or loss. A 2010 study conducted by the Univer- sity of Northern Colorado showed that urban tree care workers are regularly exposed to noise levels exceeding OSHA and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards. Further, the research concluded that ear protection is recommended “when operating chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, leaf blowers, water trucks, rotochoppers, tractors, and brush and weed trimmers.” “Material hearing impairment is de- fined as hearing loss that interferes with a person’s ability to understand speech,” clarified Julia St. John, product specialist for above-the-neck and foot protection at Delta Plus, a global manu- facturer of head-to-toe safety solutions. “We must address the risks and take necessary precautions to protect the hearing of all workers.”
24 | ArborTIMES™ Winter 2025
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