Farms are full of loud noises that can cause damage to your hearing. You can do a number of things to protect yourself from hearing loss.

More farmers are noticing early signs of hearing damage including:

• Ringing
• Hissing
• Roaring
• Whistling
• Chirping
• Clicking

According to an article in The Denver Post , “An estimated one-third of the nation’s 3 million farmers have some level of hearing loss caused by their inner ears’ daily bombardment from sounds that can rival a rock concert’s sonic impact.”

Young farmers are not immune to hearing damage. A Wisconsin study found that 25% of male farmers experience hearing related communication difficulties by the age of 30.

Hearing loss occurs based on the prolonged and frequent exposure to noise levels above 90 decibels. The damage can be permanent. Some common examples of loud noises on the farm include: squealing pigs, tractors, combines, grain dryers, chain saws and other farm equipment.

When you are not in an enclosed cab, you should use personal protective equipment such as ear plugs or ear muffs. The use of properly fitting ear plugs or ear muffs can reduce the level of noise by 25 decibels.

Hearing damage can occur at regular exposure to 90 decibels or more. Check out these charts with recommendations from the Occupational Safety and Health Standards. You should limit your exposure each day to these levels.

The next chart will give you a general idea on what decibel levels are associated with common noises heard in general and on the farm.

By riding in an enclosed cab on your machinery, you can significantly protect your hearing. Additionally, performing regular maintenance on your machinery can decrease noise levels. Since you spend more time in your sprayer than most other pieces of equipment, maintenance is extremely important. Penn State Extension shares that worn, loose or unbalanced machine parts can increase decibel levels during operation. Regular lubrication and parts replacement will reduce friction and lower noise levels.