Exposure: A Surprising Factor in Hearing Loss

Exposure to certain toxic chemicals can irreparably damage your hearing. A combination of loud noises and ototoxic chemicals could cause hearing and balance loss. Even if workers are exposed to recommended levels, these two elements combined can do more damage  than just exposure to noise or chemicals.

How Ototoxic Chemicals Damage Hearing

Ototoxic chemicals are so corrosive that they can penetrate and travel through the skin and be inhaled into the body. Once they enter the bloodstream, they travel to the ear, where they are absorbed by the hearing nerve and damage the cells of the hair in the inner ear. Besides hearing loss, this also results in balance issues.

Unlike other industrial chemicals, ototoxic chemicals can do large-scale damage to the inner ear and kidneys. That’s because these organs originate from the same germ layer during development. Even though kidney issues from these chemicals are rare, certain complications can result if exposed to them.

Some of the ototoxic chemicals that can cause hearing loss and kidney issues include aliphatic and benzene-based hydrocarbons, such as n-hexane, as well as carbon disulfide. You can also be exposed to these harmful agents if you handle phosphate for gardening, farming and industrial agricultural purposes.

Besides these, exposure to certain metals such as lead, arsenic, manganese and mercury can also lead to ototoxic chemical poisoning. These heavy metals can attack the nerves that pass along signals from the brain to the ear. With prolonged exposure to these metals, those pathways can get irreparably damaged, leading to hearing loss, not to mention massive brain damage. The lawsuits that can result from this can bring even a successful business to its knees.

Your business and employees are exposed to risks every day and you may not be aware of the looming financial losses. SIA Insurance Group can help you prevent potential issues with its 360 Insurance System.

This includes comprehensive coverage assessment, which takes a thorough look at your existing operations to determine potential pitfalls your business might be facing. Besides the construction business, we have also worked with clients who are involved in manufacturing, auto repair and the food industry.

We offer industry-specific risk management services in Burr, Ridge Illinois and have a long history of working with small and middle-market clients. We do that by maintaining profitable relationships with highly rated carriers, which can promise our clients long-term financial stability at budget-friendly rates. Call us today at (630) 325-4000 for a consultation.