A leading Australian ear surgeon is urging hospitality and nightclub workers to wear hearing protection, arguing they’re more vulnerable to long term damage.

Dr Phillip Chang is asking hospitality workers to use hearing protection and have hearing checks. He said noise induced hearing loss can be common in industries like hospitality.

Nightclub employees are exposed to noise levels louder than 98 decibels (dB), where the maximum safe exposure without ear protection is 30 minutes. Chefs and those working in kitchens are exposed to noises such as a blender at 84 dB and a food processor at 97 dB which is only considered safe to use for four hours without hearing protection.

“Excessive noise impacts the tiny hair cells in the cochlea, set deep inside the ear, which are responsible for sensing sound and transporting signals to the brain. Once these hair cells are damaged, they can’t send messages to our brain which means that we can’t hear all of the sounds that are happening around us,” said Chang.

“Because hair cells cannot be repaired or replaced, hearing can be lost forever. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their hearing – from the employer to the bartender.”

In 2001/2012, sound and pressure were the stated causes for more than 96 percent of Australian workers’ compensation claims for hearing loss.

“Noise damage affects being able to hear high pitches, which is critical for clarity of speech. Nightclub and hospitality workers need to look after their hearing now.

“Health hearing starts with wearing ear protection when there is increased exposure to noise, and seeing a professional for a hearing test. Once hearing is damaged, it will never return to exactly what it was,” he said.