Beverly Hills Hearing Center was founded in 1983 by Bonnie Baehr. Prior to that, Dr. Baehr practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years. She was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research and rehabilitation. Dr. Baehr did her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech Language and Hearing Association, California Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
Latest posts by Bonnie L. Baehr, Au.D. (see all)
- How Therapy Can Help When Hearing Loss Feels Overwhelming - March 2, 2026
- The Surprising Ways Weather Affects Noise Levels - February 27, 2026
- How to Set Up “Hearing-Safe Mode” on All Your Devices - February 17, 2026
Noise is a constant. It is everywhere and part of our everyday life. This is particularly true of those working in the manufacturing or construction industries. The combination of machinery screeching and heavy equipment rumbling can create hazardous environments for their hearing. Although tools and machinery are essential for completing their job, repeated exposure to extreme noise levels can result in permanent hearing loss.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to protect your hearing to prevent damage while still remaining safe and productive at work.
The Impact of Noise on Hearing
When hearing loss occurs from being exposed to loud sounds, it is due to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear being damaged. These tiny cells transmit sound signals to the brain, which allows us to interpret sounds and understand speech. However, once these tiny hair cells are damaged, they cannot regenerate. This means the hearing loss that occurs is permanent. That is why preventing hearing loss is so important, particularly when it is preventable.
An unfortunate truth is that in many manufacturing and construction settings, noise levels frequently exceed the safe limit as determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA defines any noise above 85 decibels as harmful when exposed over a period of time.
Common sources of this damaging sound can come from the following:
- Engines
- Power tools
- Air compressors
- Welding equipment
- Heavy equipment
- Conveyor systems
Those workers exposed to these types of sounds over long periods of time can develop hearing loss. The longer the exposure, the greater the risk.
Hearing Protection is Important
The most effective way to reduce the potential for hearing loss is by wearing hearing protection when in noisy environments. Earplugs and earmuffs can provide protection by lowering the sound levels before the noise reaches the ears.
Reusable or custom-molded earplugs are ideal for workers who spend long hours in noisy areas. They are comfortable, easy to clean, and durable. Earmuffs work well for short-term use or when quick removal is needed. In some cases, combining earplugs with earmuffs can provide the highest level of protection in extremely loud environments.
Hearing protection must also be worn correctly to be effective. Earplugs should be inserted fully into the ear canal, and earmuff cushions should form a complete seal around the ear. Workers should inspect their equipment regularly for wear or damage and replace it when appropriate.
Monitoring Noise Levels
It is vital that employers monitor sound levels across all work environments and identify when noise exposure could be dangerous. This ensures employees can take the appropriate precautions regarding their hearing health.
OSHA requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program when noise levels exceed 85 decibels over an eight-hour period. This program includes regular hearing tests, training on protective practices, and access to proper hearing protection.
Culture of Hearing Safety
Hearing health and identifying unsafe hearing environments should be a collaborative endeavor between employers and employees. Offering training programs to help workers understand the risks is important to ensure they are aware of the dangers and the appropriate protective measures to take.
Recognizing the Signs of Hearing Damage
Identifying hearing loss early is critical in properly treating it. Workers need to be made aware of the signs of potential hearing damage, like the following:
- Ringing in the ears
- Trouble understanding speech
- Needing to turn up the volume on their devices to properly hear
If these symptoms occur, a hearing evaluation should be scheduled as soon as possible. Regular hearing tests can track changes over time and help identify any early damage before it becomes severe.
Staying Safe
Hearing health is about more than just communication. It helps improve our safety, environmental awareness, engagement, and quality of life. Manufacturing and construction workers rely on their hearing to remain alert to warnings, signals, and conversations with other employees. When they adopt safe listening habits and hearing health practices, they preserve their hearing for years to come.
Preventing hearing loss begins with awareness and daily action. When employers and workers work together to make hearing protection a priority, they create safer, more productive environments for everyone.