AirPods and similar wireless earbuds are everywhere. They can boost communication, keep employees happy, and even improve productivity. But none of that replaces the importance of keeping your workforce healthy and safe.
Here are 5 reasons to think carefully about the use of earbuds and AirPods at work
The Hidden Risks of Earbuds at Work
- Noise exposure: Assuming most staff are not listening to the tinkle of chamber music at a sensible volume on their ’pods, these in-ear devices are actually producing noise. This is problematic because:
- It’s at work.
- It’s for long periods of time.
- Uncontrolled noise, even through personal devices, can cause permanent hearing damage in minutes.
- Employers are responsible – employers must protect staff from harmful noise exposure, whatever the source.
- False sense of protection: Despite features like noise cancellation, AirPods are not designed or certified for hearing protection. Allowing AirPods or similar in the workplace can send the wrong message about hearing health. And hearing health is increasingly linked to long-term conditions like dementia, high blood pressure and depression.
- Situational awareness: Earbuds can reduce awareness of alarms, warnings, or team activity. The HSE is raising awareness about “over-protection” to ensure audibility is just right: protecting hearing without compromising safety. Employers therefore take great care specifying and providing the correct level of noise attenuation. Throwing other – and unquantified – noise blocks into the mix (e.g. wearing earbuds inside over-ear earmuffs), makes a mess of this.
- Distractions: Personal calls, podcasts, or audiobooks may seem harmless, but in many roles, distractions can affect focus, productivity and safety.
- Practical concerns: Earbuds are not cheap, can fall out, and may interfere with PPE. Even if features are available, there is no guarantee they are being used correctly. Or even switched on.
Steps Employers Can Take
Hearing health is getting more complex as our exposure to noise and communication increases, but simple steps can make a real difference:
- Baseline and monitor staff hearing
- Implement clear policies and training on devices and personal communications at work
- Consider in-ear hearing protection where appropriate, since earbuds cannot be used at the same time.
A happy workforce is great, but a safe and healthy workforce is invaluable.
Get in touch to trial easy low-cost hearing tests and surveillance audiometry with Hearing Wizard.