Did you know up to 1 in 8 people in the UK live with a persistent form of Tinnitus, and over the next ten years this is expected to increase by a further 550,000 people*?
*Source: British Tinnitus Association
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is where you hear a sound continuously despite there being no external sound. This can take many forms such as a buzzing, ringing, whooshing sound, and even in some cases it can present as a “musical tinnitus” that the sufferer can hear in their head but may struggle to pinpoint where it is coming from.
What Causes Tinnitus?
It is generally believed that Tinnitus comes from a change that may have occurred, such as a mental health or physical change like hearing loss / damage or an infection. This is because your brain has a clever filter that enables you to filter out background noise and focus on the sound you are intended to hear, and when the change occurs it can present problems with your brains signals and your brain tries harder to get the required information and this can present as Tinnitus. Stress or a significant change of circumstances
The “sound” is your brain and not actually coming via your ear itself.
What to do
Anybody with this problem should seek advice from their GP / medical professional, they may then be referred on to a specialist if appropriate.
If one of my employees is suffering from this, am I liable?
The most important thing is to ensure the person gets medical help. When it comes to liability, you are responsible for ensuring so far as is reasonably practicable the employee does not come to harm in the course of their work, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment with accompanying procedures helps to cover this.
Whilst noise hazards may be the first thing that comes to mind, remember that Tinnitus can be brought on by stress and other illnesses not related to work.
Consider the following:
- Stress Risk Assessment
- Noise Assessments and relevant
- Health Surveillance – possible hearing tests for example (where appropriate)
- Adequate Procedures
- Well being Program – promote good health and well being.
More information is available from the British Tinnitus Association
Quest are able to audit your safety management system to see what you are already doing to protect people and provide practical advice on how you can develop this further. It is important that your people have received proper training, we can help you on a range of subjects and also help you fulfil your duty under section 7 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which requires you as an employer to have access to competent H&S advice to help you meet your duties in UK law.
If you would like further information from us on this matter please give us a call on 0333 240 7208 or contact us here.
