Hearing loss from overexposure to noise is a leading health hazard for workers in Ontario. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is one of the fastest-growing occupational diseases, but it is also one of the most preventable.

NIHL happens over a long period of exposure to hazardous noise levels in the workplace. Because it happens gradually, workers don’t realize they’re losing their hearing until it’s too late. Once the damage is done, it’s permanent and irreversible.

Exposure to noise may sometimes be unavoidable, but hearing loss is 100 percent preventable if you know what precautions to take. The Basics of Hearing Protection for Employers, Joint Health & Safety Committees and Health & Safety Representatives e-learning course will provide you with information about:

• Noise hazards and ways to control them
• Noise levels in the workplace
• New legislative requirements on noise
• The selection, care, and use of hearing protection devices.