The Risk of Hearing Loss Among Truck Drivers & Bus Drivers

We encounter sounds during our day-to-day activities. Vehicles produce the majority of noises that people regularly encounter.

Vehicles & Noise Pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency has characterized noise pollution as “unwanted or disturbing sound”. These “unwanted or disturbing sounds” tend to prevent you from engaging in your regular activities or interrupt the quality of your life. 

Vehicles are the main source of unwanted noise for people. The average car produces sounds that range between 70-80 decibels (dB), whereas buses reach between 80-95 dB. Almost all of the noise comes from three areas:

• Aerodynamics
• Tires
• The power transfer system (includes air valves, engine, exhaust system, fan air blower, and filter)     

Not only can these sounds cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), but being exposed to noise also leads to diseases that are linked to stress, high blood pressure, speech obstruction, sleep disruption, and trouble with productivity.  

Analysis of Drivers of Heavy-Vehicles 

Researchers worked with data that was gathered from a national survey from February 2006 to March 2016. Data from 65,533 heavy-vehicle drivers, which are made up of individuals who operate trucks and buses in a city with heavy traffic, was used. All of the test subjects were male. 

A pure tone air and bone conduction audiometry test were used to check the participants’ hearing loss. The hearing was divided into four categories. 

• Healthy ears
• Weak hearing loss
• Medium hearing loss
• High hearing loss

The study showed that 26.8% of drivers who operated heavy vehicles, had some range of hearing loss; 14.6% of those individuals had hearing loss in each ear, 7.8% experienced hearing loss only in their left ear and 4.4% only experienced hearing loss in their right ear. 

The participant’s prior work history, type of vehicle, and the quality of the vehicle’s air conditioning unit were not considered, this research did show that hearing loss is prevalent among people who frequently encounter noise pollution.     

Check out these tips on how to protect your hearing health. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and brands for people of all ages.

Contact Us