# Hearing loss from data center work **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 20, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624 "2012-11-20T16:24:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/21 "2012-11-20T21:34:43Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > As I understand it, there are time limits for different decibel levels. A person who works in the data center all day may be required to wear hearing protection, but for a visitor, who will be there for only a ten minute tour, it is probably not a requirement. Yes I found a chart today on my company’s web site describing the number of hours and decibel levels that are acceptable. The data center never has visitors on the floor, it is restricted. They have my fingerprints and everything but did not tell me to protect my ears! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/22 "2012-11-20T23:48:55Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Report the hearing loss to your boss/hr department NOW. They need to open a work comp claim because your condition will not be covered by personal health insurance. Absent proof of causation, it probably won’t be covered by the workers’ compensation carrier either. However, the advice is sound: the OP needs to report this as a work related injury, because most states have fairly short (~30 days is common) reporting deadlines. ---
**Author:** ![SpaceDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spacedog/32/9932_2.png) [@SpaceDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceDog)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/23 "2012-11-21T07:22:56Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > Yes I found a chart today on my company’s web site describing the number of hours and decibel levels that are acceptable. The data center never has visitors on the floor, it is restricted. They have my fingerprints and everything but did not tell me to protect my ears! Chances are they haven’t done a noise test, or haven’t done one recently. Server rooms get noiser as the get busies (or as equipment gets older) the last place I worked periodically testing their small test room and suddenly one day it had warning signs and those disposabile in the ear earplugs available. Do you know what hearing loss you have? Assuming the ringing has gone away – do you notice the hearing loss? Maybe it’s just in the high end which isn’t blocked by the noise cancelling headphones. Maybe most people there have it but haven’t noticed. None of which lets the company off the hook for not posting warnings. If they have a policy it should be enforced (and checked). And everyone should be made aware of it by default. I could go into a whole other rant about policies that are only discovered after the fact. I hope your hearing gets better. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/24 "2012-11-21T14:10:24Z")
> [@SpaceDog](#): > > Chances are they haven’t done a noise test, or haven’t done one recently. Server rooms get noiser as the get busies (or as equipment gets older) the last place I worked periodically testing their small test room and suddenly one day it had warning signs and those disposabile in the ear earplugs available. > > Do you know what hearing loss you have? Assuming the ringing has gone away – do you notice the hearing loss? Maybe it’s just in the high end which isn’t blocked by the noise cancelling headphones. Maybe most people there have it but haven’t noticed. > > None of which lets the company off the hook for not posting warnings. If they have a policy it should be enforced (and checked). And everyone should be made aware of it by default. I could go into a whole other rant about policies that are only discovered after the fact. > > I hope your hearing gets better. Thanks. I still have the ringing, which is why I went to the doctor. I don’t really notice the hearing loss because it’s just in one ear and it’s just partial (and I hope temporary). Re: your point about the data center becoming noisier over time – Yes that’s the case here. The center is rapidly filling up with equipment. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/25 "2012-11-22T17:51:06Z")
You absolutely need to report this. Noise loud enough to cause ear damage in a week without any signs is egregious. Report it, talk to a lawyer, and tell your bank to expect a big check. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/26 "2012-11-23T14:02:12Z")
I did a day’s work in a big data centre a few years ago. We weren’t offered any hearing protection but I noticed that the security guard had ear defenders. For me the most uncomfortable bit was the cold! The KVM in the rack we were working on was right above the aircon vent so icy air was blowing up your trousers all the time. When we were waiting for something to run we’d go stand in the hot aisles to warm back up. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/27 "2012-11-24T05:06:47Z")
I used to bring my own hearing protection to work. I complained about the noise for years, and everyone seemed to think that I was a whiney bitch, but that industrial sized shredder was loud enough to make my ears ring after about 15 minutes. It took a lawsuit from Shredder Guy to make TPTB cough up for earplugs, but when I was there last…TPTB still seem to think that we are whiney bitches. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/28 "2012-11-24T05:39:05Z")
> [@](#): > > After the second trip I’ve had ringing in my ear that won’t go away. I finally saw the doctor this morning and I have hearing loss in that ear, and have to see the audiologist in January. I don’t know what they can do about it and I hope it gets better on its own. You have hearing loss from two trips to the data center? Or am I reading this wrong? I mean, I’ve been working in data centers (including having an office in a huge data center at PTO for several years) for over 25 years, and in that time I’ve only recently started to a constant ringing in my ears. I don’t know if it’s from working in the data centers or from something else…and my doctor doesn’t know either. But two trips? Either your data center is ridiculously loud or something else is the cause. Do you use a head set for listening to music or audio books? Personally, I suspect that as the cause of my own ear ringing. > [@](#): > > My semi-rants and warnings are as follows. > > ``` > There is no sign in the data center warning about wearing ear protection. (Some people use it and some don't.) > There is no sign in the data center about the decibel level or about OSHA. > The person working in the airport gadget center was very helpful but did not explain that the headphones are not adequate for real ear protection, although he knew what I was using them for. > The instructions for the headphones do not warn that they are not adequate for real protection. > > ``` No, I’ve never seen warnings like that in a data center. Most of the older ones I’ve worked in have halon warnings (all that death stuff if they go off), as well as other posted warnings…but never seen any regarding sound decibel level warnings. I seriously doubt any of them reach OSHA levels of concern, but if your data center is that dysfunctional that you’d get hearing loss from two trips there then you should file a complaint and have it checked out. > [@](#): > > I admit I’m one of those people who thinks that putting a warning on nut bread saying “Warning: Contains nuts” is ridiculous – But I think this is different. While the data center is loud, I would not have thought anyone could actually lose their hearing working there, and that if it were possible, there would have been some warnings posted. Also I think there should be warnings on the headphones. I’ve never heard (no pun intended) of anyone losing their hearing in a data center, certainly not from two visits (again, assuming I’m reading that right). Like I said, I’ve been in and out of data centers for years…decades really…and while I’m willing to concede that they are loud, noisy places, and even willing to entertain the possibility that my own ear problems could stem from working in them, it’s hard for me to believe that one could be as noisy as you seem to be indicating. Hell, I’ve been in some of the largest data centers in the country, with literally thousands of servers (back in the old days when ‘thousands of servers’ literally meant thousands of boxes), switches, routers, and all the HVAC and infrastructure to support such monsters, and they weren’t loud enough to give you hearing loss as you seem to be describing. That said, obviously you have an issue, so my advice, FWIW, is file a complaint with your HR and if you have a safety officer have them do an OSHA noise level compliance test and certification. It’s not like they can change the noise level substantially to trick the the inspectors…not without bringing large parts of the network and systems down. So, file a complaint, and if your data center doesn’t meet the (well defined) noise level standards then you will have a legitimate grievance and will be due some compensation. > [@](#): > > Call me stupid if you want, and maybe I am, but I’m also a little peeved about it. You aren’t stupid, unless you really think you have experience hearing loss and don’t file a complaint to have it checked out. If they find there is a real problem, then like I said you are due compensation…PLUS you’ll get those signs and such so someone else doesn’t have the same problem in the future. Plus, maybe they will fix whatever dysfunctional systems and infrastructure they have that’s causing it. Good luck to you…hope it works out. Just remember, there are procedures for this sort of thing, and you have rights. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/29 "2012-11-24T18:35:03Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > It took a lawsuit from Shredder Guy to make TPTB cough up for earplugs, but when I was there last…TPTB still seem to think that we are whiney bitches. Probably can’t detect pitch very well. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/30 "2012-11-25T03:09:09Z")
[quote=“ratatoskK, post:1, topic:641624”] … [li]The person working in the airport gadget center was very helpful but did not explain that the headphones are not adequate for real ear protection, although he knew what I was using them for.[/li][li]The instructions for the headphones do not warn that they are not adequate for real protection…[/li][/QUOTE] I sympathize on the potential hearing loss - but I think those two points are completely unfair. Firstly “the person in the airport gadget center” is not in any way shape or form trained or qualified to advise on true hearing _protection_. Secondly, noise-cancelling headphones are designed to allow you to hear your music / reduce the impact of outside noise on that. They are **not** designed to offer protection against dangerous levels of outside noise. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/31 "2012-11-25T05:03:15Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Probably can’t detect pitch very well. Cracks up 🙂 You are so right, I should have probably whined in low tones. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/32 "2012-11-25T05:13:39Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > I used to bring my own hearing protection to work. I complained about the noise for years, and everyone seemed to think that I was a whiney bitch, but that industrial sized shredder was loud enough to make my ears ring after about 15 minutes. > > It took a lawsuit from Shredder Guy to make TPTB cough up for earplugs, but when I was there last…TPTB still seem to think that we are whiney bitches. You mean … SG actually did something that benefited someone _other_ than himself? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/33 "2012-11-25T07:10:46Z")
Oh darn! I forgot to mention this in the Workplace Griping thread. SG filed the lawsuit a couple of months ago. It was all hush-hush boss to grandboss to the administrator talk. But, while there are no warning signs, my boss asked me about hearing protection and told me that the shredder was shut down until we had proper gear. I’m a month away from 35. I ride loud motorcycles. I shoot guns. I go to loud concerts. I only learned to protect my hearing when I started getting ringing in my right ear THAT NEVER FUCKING GOES AWAY. I’m a big advocate of wearing hearing protection now. ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/34 "2012-11-25T13:52:59Z")
“Noise Cancelling Headphones” Don’t these work by emitting a competing but mirror image of the sound frequency you would otherwise be hearing? So…while your brain may not actually be hearing the sounds, you are in effect doubling the amount of pressure your eardrum receives. That seems to me the way they work. Anyone here able to correct me on that? If that’s the case, they need a warning not that they aren’t suitable for hearing protection, but that prolonged use can \*damage \*the eardrums. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/35 "2012-11-26T03:14:30Z")
> [@Uber\_the\_Goober](#): > > “Noise Cancelling Headphones” > > Don’t these work by emitting a competing but mirror image of the sound frequency you would otherwise be hearing? So…while your brain may not actually be hearing the sounds, you are in effect doubling the amount of pressure your eardrum receives. > > That seems to me the way they work. Anyone here able to correct me on that? > > If that’s the case, they need a warning not that they aren’t suitable for hearing protection, but that prolonged use can \*damage \*the eardrums. I came to post this. I think your noise canceling ear phones may have actually doubled the effective noise in the data center. in effect, it may have made your problem even worse. This might be why the other workers may not have received hearing loss. Someone with a better understanding of the sound physics should step in. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/36 "2012-11-26T08:15:38Z")
I asked on Reddit on /r/askscience, It appears **Uber the Goober** and I are wrong. Noise Cancelling headphones do not double the effective pressure. [http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/13sk7t/do\_noise\_cancelling\_earphones\_double\_the/](http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/13sk7t/do_noise_cancelling_earphones_double_the/) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/37 "2012-11-26T11:17:32Z")
I’ve been in a mainframe room quite a few times, and in other machine rooms. The really loud ones are the printers, particularly the ones that batter out program dumps and other audit-type stuff on green and white lined paper. The huge and fast laser printers are very quiet by comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/38 "2012-11-26T11:24:31Z")
I’d want ear protection mind. My hearing is noticeably damaged, and that’s just from gigs. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/39 "2012-11-26T15:39:17Z")
Has anyone thought to simply ask the data entry operators to type a little quieter? Or what about replacing those Model Ms for a more modern keyboard? I’m sure a lot of collectors out there (or programmers who work in small offices) would love to get their hands on one, offsetting the cost of purchasing new keyboards. What? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624/40 "2012-11-26T15:39:35Z")
[QUOTE=Uber\_the\_Goober;15731212If that’s the case, they need a warning not that they aren’t suitable for hearing protection, but that prolonged use can \*damage \*the eardrums.[/QUOTE] Hearing loss due to industrial noise does not result from damaged eardrums, but rather damaged nerves in the ear. I had applied for hearing aids to WCB, the OSHA equivalent in Canada, but was rejected . One reason specified was the significant assymetry of my hearing and the absence of a tell tale notch in my hearing frequency profile. Hearing loss resulting from a host of reasons can go undetected for years, just like vision impairment. It seems that the OP was only aware of hearing loss after being told of it as result of investigation for the ringing in his ears. My suggestion is that if he indeed has permanent hearing loss that he gets fitted for hearing aids. Otherwise he may allow the part of his brain associated with the lost hearing to atrophy and depending on age, may never fully recover even with hearing aids. I learned all this recently when I bit the bullet and spent $4000 on hearing aids. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hearing-loss-from-data-center-work/641624.md?page=3)