Do chemicals cause hearing loss? Well, they do. Ototoxicity is the term referring to the propensity of a substance to impair hearing after an exposure.
Some types of chemicals have been documented as ototoxicants like solvent, metals, asphyxiants and nitriles. These chemicals are often used in various industries and it is a primary concern in industrial settings where a lot of workers are exposed to high concentration for a long period of time.
Aromatic solvents tend to work with a mechanism which implicates both the nervous system and cochlea. The hearing problems caused by aromatic solvents are irreversible.
Nitriles are such chemicals which are generally associated with permanent hearing loss and cause severe damage to the cochlea. These chemicals can also affect the vestibular organ in the ear and cause impairment in coordination and in balance.
Asphyxiants also affect the cochlea but in a different manner. When hearing impairment is caused by low levels of asphyxiants, it is reversible.
Several metals also have ototoxic effects causing hearing impairment.
Now, with workers exposed to these chemicals, it becomes the responsibility of the employers to protect them. The best they can do is spread the awareness of these chemicals or rather register them in a HAZWOPER safety training course. These HAZWOPER training courses will educate them to identify potential occupational hazards and with measures to avoid and prevent them.
Some types of chemicals have been documented as ototoxicants like solvent, metals, asphyxiants and nitriles. These chemicals are often used in various industries and it is a primary concern in industrial settings where a lot of workers are exposed to high concentration for a long period of time.
Aromatic solvents tend to work with a mechanism which implicates both the nervous system and cochlea. The hearing problems caused by aromatic solvents are irreversible.
Nitriles are such chemicals which are generally associated with permanent hearing loss and cause severe damage to the cochlea. These chemicals can also affect the vestibular organ in the ear and cause impairment in coordination and in balance.
Asphyxiants also affect the cochlea but in a different manner. When hearing impairment is caused by low levels of asphyxiants, it is reversible.
Several metals also have ototoxic effects causing hearing impairment.
Now, with workers exposed to these chemicals, it becomes the responsibility of the employers to protect them. The best they can do is spread the awareness of these chemicals or rather register them in a HAZWOPER safety training course. These HAZWOPER training courses will educate them to identify potential occupational hazards and with measures to avoid and prevent them.
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