Straight-Talking, Sensible Advice for Occupational Health & Safety Professionals
World Hearing Day: Are Earbuds Putting Hearing at Risk?
With World Hearing Day last week, we're highlighting a recurring issue we're seeing during health surveillance: workers wearing earbuds underneath their hearing protection.
While PPE may be in place, this simple habit can break the seal and trap sound inside the ear defenders - potentially increasing noise exposure rather than reducing it. It can also make early hearing-loss trends harder to interpret.
Guidance from the HSE is clear: hearing protection only works when it fits properly and isn't obstructed by hair, glasses - or earbuds. Protecting hearing isn't just about providing PPE; it's about ensuring it's used correctly. Small changes in behaviour can make a big difference to long-term hearing health.
With home and hybrid working now firmly embedded in many businesses, the HSE is reminding employers that their legal responsibilities remain the same wherever employees work. While most home-working risks are low, areas like mental health, safe use of computers and laptops, and the general working environment still need attention. Checking workstation set-up, equipment use, and regular communication go a long way
Occupational health and safety teams must remember that homeworking isn't automatically 'low risk'. Some employees may lack a suitable workspace, while others may need more contact for wellbeing. Open conversations help spot issues early and keep working from home safe, comfortable and sustainable.
The new Level 2 Health & Safety for Retail course introduces core Working Safely principles with a focus on key retail risks such as slips and trips, manual handling, transport and violence. It's an ideal induction course, giving learners the skills to keep themselves, colleagues and customers safe.
Coming soon
IOSH Approved Working Safely - a practical introduction to workplace safety, hazard awareness and good organisational practice, with an IOSH certificate on completion.
