New job loud sounds . Tinnitus

[Amyleeh]

Hello,

I’ll start by saying i have tinnitus and it is most of the time very mild. It does bother me sometimes like when it spikes but thankfully it has always gone back to base level.

I have recently started working as a dental nurse. I absolutely love the job . The only thing is we use this eletrosonic steriliser for the instruments before putting them into the autoclave. They are both so loud and it’s only really the nurses that are in that room. Like if you look up that eletrosonic steriliser on YouTube you will see it’s a very piercing noise. I’m looking for advice on if you think I should protect my hearing at work? Is there any very discrete earplugs out there as I would be mortified going around wearing really obvious ones.

Thank you

[rabbits65]

I would say “ Definitely” protect your ears . Most important .

[Sparklylady67]

Hi, if the noise is causing you distress and you feel you need to be protected from it, then it might be an important purchase for you to make. I'm sure that you wouldn't be wearing earplugs all day. Have you talked to your employer about the issue, they may have a solution to it too. Good luck.

[Happyrosie]

Please talk to your employer - most would be very understanding if you explain without complaining.

[1966366]

Good morning Amyleeh, I know that I am considerably older and definitely much stupider than you, but I, in hindsight of the problems I have with T today, would be wearing earplugs the size of elephant feet to protect the ears! Don't leave it until it is too late and further damage is done. Furthermore, dont be "mortified" and worry about what people think. All the best, have a lovely day!

[purenostalgia]

Better to be safer than sorry Amyleeh, wear discreet ear defenders would be my advice.

Take Care

Mike

[Spurdog1]

At the end of the day it will be your ears that are possibly damaged, not "theirs". If you are unsure then wear them, to be safe. If you live in the UK, I think Boots sell them, though they should be available at Amazon or ebay reasonably priced. You must tell your employer, as he should help his employees in the course of their role.

[doglover1973]

Plug them. Think of it not only as helping yourself but everyone else who follows in your footsteps. If you're worn earplugs others will be less afraid to do so.

[surreycccfan]

Hi, there are many types of plus out there from foam to custom fit, for more information on ear plugs please see BTA and Plugem (plugem is a BTA campaign) plugem.co.uk/earplugs/ and tinnitus.org.uk/pages/shop/.... You can see on the plugem site the different types of decibels we are exposed to and what is safe, you could maybe measure how loud the noise you are exposed to at work (and for how long), you could do this simply by installing a free decibel monitor app on your phone.

I would agree with others that if the sounds at work are spiking your T you should be using some type of protection. When I go to concerts/sports events I always wear ear protection (I use Alpine MusicSafe Classic Earplugs as have an adjustable gromit so can still enjoy event and talk to others while protecting my hearing).

In regards to your employer please find the govt guidance they should be following to help you operate in a noisy environment hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l108...

Hope this helps?

Stay safe