Part 1: The scale of the problem

This may seem odd at first, however the dangers arising from noise are not only linked to how loud a workplace is, but also the length of time that staff are exposed to noise.

According to recent research, 170,000 people in the UK suffer from deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has also estimated that over one million workers in Britain are exposed to potentially damaging noise levels, and that as many as 400,000 workers face "seriously damaging" levels of over 90 decibels.

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), which campaigns on behalf of deaf people and those who are hard of hearing, believes that despite the figures, noise is one of the most "underestimated" workplace risks.

RNID spokesman, Brian Lamb, said: "Since noise induced hearing loss is often cumulative and not immediately obvious, its threat is seldom recognised or taken seriously.

"However, whilst its effects are irreversible, noise induced hearing loss is totally preventable through the implementation of noise reduction strategies and provision of ear protection for employees."

Across Europe, one third of the workforce - more than 60 million people - are exposed to noisy conditions for more than a quarter of their working time, while 40 million suffer for half their working time.

In fact, research has shown that noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common and most costly occupational diseases in Europe. No wonder then that the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is highlighting the problem this year.

Of course, another reason the Agency has chosen to highlight the issue now, is because under the European Union's Physical Agents (Noise) Directive member countries will from next year be required to implement new rules on noise at work.

In Britain, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 will come into force on 6 April 2006.

Later in this feature we will look more closely at these new regulations as well as ways of controlling the risks. But firstly, let's examine some of the conditions that can arise from excessive exposure to noise at work...