A dilemma

[doglover1973]

On Friday a group of 7 or 8 workmen arrived and dug up all the way down the street. Only one of them was wearing ear protection. So I rang the company and asked if they could provide ear defenders for all of them. The company said they do but it's up to their workers to put them on. There's the dilemma. Do I say something on Monday morning? Knowing what I know about T .

[daverussell]

Should we go out of our way to say everyone wear suncream, do not smoke, do not drink etc.? Where do we stop where do we start? Such things are personal choices that do not directly affect others. "No," is my answer.

I think you've done the right thing. Maybe the gaffer you spoke to will remind them about their choice.

[Happyrosie]

with some companies it’s within their contract of employment that employees must wear (boots/helmets/whatever). So doglover was right to point it out to their employer. Otherwise, as Dave says ……

[doglover1973]

Thanks  daverussell Thanks  Happyrosie I'm relieved you think there's no need to do anything else. .

[rabbits65]

hello doglover I hope your well , Whilst I sort of agree with daverussell and Happyrosie , I also feel like you did at the time and might well have gone out there and tried tactfully to say something to the poor guys. It was quite natural for you to feel horrified at the noise going through those poor mens ears and knowing what we know about tinnitus and it’s horror consequences. . I think I might well have gone out there and said something . I too have been in a similar situation and wished I had said something . Those poor mens hearing must already be damaged anyway . It’s nice of you to be so thoughtful.

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

Hi Penny. Good to see you. Yes. It's difficult to watch - knowing they're going to damage their ears. They're only young lads too. I'm going to tackle the company again - by letter this time - and include a leaflet form Tinnitus UK. All OK here. How are the poodles? Lovely weather for dog walking 🐶

[Candleinthewind in reply to doglover1973]

Excellent idea 😀

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Yes I do enjoy my poodles very much and they have really helped me live my life, Apart from tinnitus I have a few other health issues ( I know you do too) so, Teddy and Lulu I really enjoy. I had a good holiday with my sister, good change of scenery. Will you be able to get away anywhere too ?

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

I'm glad you had a nice time with your sister . That's lovely. Did Teddy and Lulu go too? I'll be staying at home but my sisters will come and see me.

[rabbits65 in reply to doglover1973]

Teddy & Lulu came too,

Very good environment for tinnitus .

Poodles on beach

[doglover1973 in reply to rabbits65]

Aww. That's lovely. Yes. The sea is great for T .

[Beesmac]

Good morning - I think you have done all you can by contacting the company in the hope that they will give their staff a gentle reminder. Like you I too worry when I see my grandchildren with headphones and am always reminding them to keep the volume down whether they do or not is another matter! A few months ago I was about to have an MRI scan and was talking to the nurse. I had to remove my hearing aids and in conversation told her I had Musical Ear Syndrome she said oh my husband has that . I asked what his profession was and she said he is in the construction industry. I am sure they are all aware but probably, like a lot of us we believe these things won’t happen to us. That was a kind and thoughtful gesture. xx

[doglover1973 in reply to Beesmac]

Thanks Beesmac I'm the same with my oldest nephew. Always reminding him but I think it falls on deaf ears! I bet quite a few construction workers have T . It's so noisy I put my ear defenders on inside!

[Covenette1]

hi there, absolutely did the right thing in ringing the company, it’d just ‘happen’ to pass them and ‘casually’ mention the fact that having tinnitus you’d wished someone had mentioned to you how damaging loud noise is to your hearing. You’ve done the right thing and then it’s up to the individual. You can do no more. 👍 Kim x

[doglover1973 in reply to Covenette1]

Thanks Kim. That's not a bad idea 🙂 They're not here yet but I can hear them several streets away!

[Covenette1]

☺️🤞Kim x

[bournville]

Hi a tricky one but I think I’d hand over or leave them a note and a packet of disposable ear buds just before they start work.

These lads clearing have no concept of the reality of noise induced hearing loss. If you can halt the inevitable in any way I would do it.

[doglover1973 in reply to bournville]

That's a great idea. Thank you 🙂

[daverussell]

I came across an identical situation yesterday. Only 1 of 6 workmen wearing ear defenders while one used a steel saw. I put my earplugs in and walked on. At risk of being told to f**k off (at least if not telling directly) and them carrying on. It's the foreman's responsibility and in turn the companies responsibility to provide training and kit.

It got me thinking. Has a Health and Safety and Snowflake culture made a mockery of itself?

[Kellythecat-74 in reply to daverussell]

trouble is, half of them have probably never heard of Tinnitus.

[CHswim471]

Hi doglover1973

I've talked to someone with tinnitus who got it teaching engineering without ear defenders in a further education college; he also went partially deaf. As I recall he was invalided out because the FE college was found to be at fault for not supplying him with ear defenders, etc. That was some years ago and I think we are far more knowledgable about T now, so I wonder if colleges warn their young students as part of the health and safety chat? Also, speaking with my young hairdresser she tells me she has permanent mild T from listening to music far too loudly through headphones when younger. The issue is that the warnings often come too late (and I too walk by construction workers and wince for fear of being told where to go if I mention T). I mention my T to anyone who'll listen and am always advising hearing checks etc.

[doglover1973]

I can't believe it .. They're going to dig up the street again Monday. A different internet company this time. How many times can they do it?!

[Laura878787]

Hi doglover1973 yes since my acoustic shock situation I have noticed workmen not wearing ear protection my sisters go loud concerts with no ear protection. My grandad is nearly 80 and he has been a gardener using tools his whole life and his hearing is alright for his age. I've never thought much about wearing hearing protection. Also since then I could hear a child's birthday party incredibly loud and the lady running the party was on a microphone very loud!! I think people can cope but some people gey unlucky as it creeps up on them 😕

I think it would be wise to wear protection however I think if I wasn't exposed to this bloody loud 140 decibel alarm I would have been OK for life obviously not guaranteed as anything can happen anytime but again I think there should be more awareness on how long people can withstand certain noise levels and decibels. And especially more warnings on these types of products!!!!

I have studied about the ear in my degree, I have to watch endless health and safety videos at work and I'm known to be quite sensible and cautious and then I go and set an alarm off that's 140db!!! Everyone who I have spoken to since doesn't even know now that this decibel level is a deafening level even the Dr said it shouldn't cause me any issues as it was only seconds!!! Even though this level is extremely dangerous and the lady at hidden hearing had never come across anyone who has been exposed to this level!

If people think that a loud sound like that is not going to cause any issues just because it was a few seconds audiologist and Dr's included then people who are buying these alarms aren't going to know either and it is worrying!!!

: )