38.4 Hearing Loss

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Excessive and prolonged noise exposure causes permanent hearing loss. Various theories have been

put forth in an effort to characterize and predict the possible damage that might be caused by a given

exposure. Absolute proof of any theory concerning such a complex biological phenomenon is

virtually impossible to achieve. However, reliable data have been collected, which deal with situations

where workers have been continuously exposed to more or less the same noise environment for

many years.

It is well established that excessive noise exposure causes permanent hearing damage by destroying the

auditory sensor cells. These cells are hair cells located on the basilar membrane. Furthermore, other types

of inner ear damage include harm to the auditory neurons, as well as damage to the structure of the organ

of Corti. In all, the various theories and data have been taken advantage of establishing the noiseexposure

criteria set forth in the noise exposure regulations.

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