Film urges people to listen to advice about hearing damage

Honeywell has created a new video to raise awareness of the life-changing consequences of hearing damage. ‘Take Care of your Hearing’ is part of a package of tools – including presentations, posters and articles – designed to help employers ensure industrial workers receive effective hearing protection and training in the workplace.

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common permanent injury and, being irreparable and irreversible, it will dramatically affect a person’s quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines tinnitus as the third most serious non-deadly medical condition for humans.

Kjersti Rutlin

“NIHL is entirely preventable, which is why employers must provide proper hearing protection,” says Kjersti Rutlin, hearing conservation manager for Honeywell EMEA (pictured). “Employers have a duty of care and, as part of this, workers need to receive effective training so that they know how to use and fit their hearing protection correctly. In doing so, we can avoid incidents that can be detrimental not only to the individual affected but also to their family and friends.”

‘Take Care of your Hearing’ explains how exposure to one extremely high impulse sound can result in permanently reduced hearing ability and tinnitus. The video follows a metal worker who is exposed to a life-changing incident and underlines the importance of effective training in hearing protection. The video also underpins Honeywell’s new Hearing Conservation Training Programme, which outlines the consequences of noise exposure.