Why Construction Workers Are at Risk

If you’ve spent time around jackhammers, nail guns, concrete saws, or heavy machinery, you know construction sites are loud. Many of these tools produce sound levels above 100 dB—loud enough to cause noise-induced hearing loss in just minutes without protection.

Unfortunately, hearing loss in construction isn’t rare. It’s one of the most common occupational hazards, and once your hearing is damaged, it cannot be restored. That’s why OSHA has set clear standards to protect workers’ hearing.

How Loud Are Construction Tools?

Here’s a quick look at how loud common equipment can be:

Most job-site noise far exceeds safe exposure levels recommended by OSHA and NIOSH, making consistent protection essential.

What OSHA Requires

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program when noise levels exceed 85 dB averaged over 8 hours—a level easily reached on many job sites.

• Regular noise monitoring of job sites
• Providing appropriate hearing protection devices (HPDs)
• Employee training on noise hazards and protection
• Mandatory baseline and annual hearing tests (Why Some Jobs Require Mandatory Hearing Tests)
• Engineering and administrative controls to reduce noise exposure when possible

Employers who fail to comply with OSHA noise standards risk fines, citations, and liability for worker injury claims.

Types of Hearing Protection on the Job Site

OSHA doesn’t mandate a single type of ear protection, but the options generally include:

• Foam Earplugs: Inexpensive, disposable, and effective if inserted properly. They block high levels of noise but can be uncomfortable for long shifts. Buy on Amazon.
• Reusable Earplugs: Silicone or custom-fitted plugs that are more comfortable and durable.
• Earmuffs: Easy to put on and take off, great for intermittent noise exposure, and can be worn with hard hats. Check earmuff options.
• Electronic Hearing Protection: Devices like SoundGear (made by Starkey, a trusted hearing aid company) block dangerous noise while still letting you hear conversations and warning signals. These are popular with shooters (Best Hearing Protection for Hunters & Shooters) but work just as well on a construction site.

The “best” option is the one you’ll actually wear consistently. Comfort, ease of use, and job requirements all play a role in which protection works best.

Tips for Protecting Your Hearing on the Job

• Get tested regularly: Annual audiograms detect early changes in hearing before it becomes severe.
• Rotate tasks: If possible, reduce your time spent in the noisiest environments.
• Use the right gear: Don’t just grab the cheapest earplugs—find protection that’s comfortable and effective.
• Know the signs of damage: Ringing in your ears (tinnitus), muffled sounds, or difficulty following conversations are early red flags.
• Protect at home, too: Use safe volumes and breaks with personal audio (Safe Listening With Headphones).

The Audiologist’s Perspective

As an audiologist, I see many construction workers in my clinic with ringing in the ears, difficulty following conversations, or permanent hearing loss after years on noisy job sites. Almost all of them say the same thing: “I wish I had worn my hearing protection every day.”

Audiologists play a central role in OSHA hearing conservation programs. We perform the baseline and annual hearing tests, track any early changes in your hearing, and provide guidance on the best protection for your specific needs. If we notice even a small shift in your test results, it’s a red flag that your ears are under stress and you need better protection.

If you’ve noticed ringing in your ears, muffled sounds after work, or coworkers telling you to “turn the TV down,” it’s time to schedule a hearing test. Catching changes early can help prevent permanent damage. And if you already have some hearing loss, modern hearing aids can help you stay safe and connected at work by improving communication on noisy job sites.

Why It Matters

I talk with patients every week who worked construction for years without proper hearing protection. Many of them now struggle with lifelong hearing loss or tinnitus. They often tell me, “If I had only known, I would have worn my protection every day.”

Hearing loss not only affects your safety and ability to work, it impacts your family life, your social life, and your health. Research has even linked untreated hearing loss to increased risks of depression, falls, and dementia.

Protecting your hearing today protects your future.