Preventing Hearing Loss On The Farm

“Protecting one’s hearing is important to emphasize to farmers − especially this time of year,” said Dr. Dawson of Antelope Memorial Hospital. “Many different types of farm machinery produce excessive amounts of noise, including tractors, combines, grain dryers and radios in enclosed cab tractors.”

In addition, swine barns at feeding time contain extremely high noise levels, added Dr. Dawson. 

Regardless of the origin, farmers who are around high noise levels for long periods of time have a greater risk of hearing loss. If a farmer must raise his voice to be heard above the noise when he’s only three feet away from his co-worker, then the noise is probably loud enough to damage his hearing over time.

Hearing loss occurs when high noise levels cause damage to the auditory nerves. Once one’s hearing is damaged by noise ‒ there’s no treatment to correct it. 

That’s why it’s important to be proactive and protect the ears from high noise levels to begin with. 
A variety of hearing protection devices can be used to protect hearing, depending on the noise level, said Dr. Dawson. 

These items include earplugs and earmuff-style hearing protectors. Disposable earplugs, however, should be thrown away as soon as they become dirty. 
To be noted − stuffing cotton into ear canals offers only minimal protection from noise at best.