Noise induced hearing loss is irreversible damage to the ears caused by exposure to high levels of noise. This recording demonstrates how hearing is gradually lost over a working life.
WARNING: After 6 April 2006 the action levels will be reduced and the lower exposure action values will be 80 dB(A) and the upper action values will be 85 dB(A). There will also be an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A), above which no worker can be exposed (taking hearing protection into account).
Do NOT adjust the volume after starting to listen to the clip.
The hearing loss simulations all include the effects of noise exposure and ageing. At the end of each simulation the hearing undamaged by noise for the age can be heard.
Click on the link below to listen to the audio demonstration.
To save this demonstration to your computer - right click on the
link and select 'save file as'