Kollam is rightfully known as the cashew capital of the world. Our shores are also bustling with the hardworking fishers who are the backbone of our marine industry. These industries are our pride, but they come with a hidden risk that many workers overlook: occupational hearing loss.
The constant noise from machinery and engines isn’t just a part of the job—it can permanently damage your hearing. At Hear & Speak Kollam, we see the long-term effects of this daily noise exposure, and we want to provide a guide to help you protect one of your most valuable assets: your hearing.
What is Occupational Hearing Loss?
Occupational hearing loss is any hearing impairment caused by your work environment. Unlike a sudden loud explosion, this type of hearing loss is slow and gradual. It happens after months and years of being exposed to loud sounds, often without you even noticing the damage until it’s significant.
It’s caused by damage to the tiny, delicate hair cells in your inner ear. Once these cells are damaged, they cannot be repaired. This is why prevention is absolutely critical.
The Unique Risks in Kollam’s Key Industries
For Workers in the Cashew Industry
The journey of a cashew from raw nut to packaged kernel involves several incredibly noisy stages:
- Roasting & Shelling Machines: These large, powerful machines generate a constant, loud hum and clatter that can easily exceed safe noise levels (85 decibels).
- Peeling & Grading Equipment: The continuous operation of automated peelers and graders adds to the high-volume noise on the factory floor.
- Boilers & Steam Vents: The high-pressure steam used in processing creates sharp, piercing sounds.
Being exposed to this for 8-10 hours a day, day after day, puts your hearing at serious risk.
For Workers in the Marine & Fishing Industry
The sounds of the sea are often romanticized, but for a fisher, the reality is very different:
- Boat Engines: The powerful diesel engines on fishing vessels, especially older ones, produce a constant, low-frequency drone that is a major cause of hearing damage.
- Mechanical Winches & Haulers: The noise from hauling nets and operating deck machinery can be extremely loud.
- Ship Horns & Communication Systems: Sudden, loud blasts are a regular part of life at sea and in the harbor.
Early Warning Signs: Are You at Risk?
Because it happens so slowly, you might not realize your hearing is being damaged. Look out for these early signs:
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus) after you leave work.
- Difficulty hearing conversations in noisy places like a market or tea shop.
- Needing to turn up the TV or radio volume louder than others.
- Feeling that people are mumbling when they talk to you.
If you are experiencing any of these, it’s a clear signal that you need to get your hearing checked.
How to Protect Yourself: Simple & Effective Steps
The good news is that occupational hearing loss is almost entirely preventable.
- Wear Hearing Protection: This is the most important step. Earplugs or earmuffs are essential pieces of your work equipment. They should be worn consistently whenever you are in a noisy area.
- Take “Quiet” Breaks: If possible, step away from the loudest machinery for a few minutes every hour to give your ears a rest.
- Maintain Equipment: Well-maintained machinery often runs quieter. Report any unusually loud equipment to your supervisor.
- Get Regular Hearing Check-ups: An annual hearing test, or audiogram, can detect the very first signs of hearing loss. This allows you to take action before the damage gets worse.
Your Hearing is Your Livelihood. Protect It.
Your ability to hear is crucial for your safety at work and for connecting with your family and community at home. Don’t let your job take it away from you.
If you work in the cashew or marine industries in Kollam and are concerned about your hearing, please take the first step.
Contact Hear & Speak in Kollam today to schedule a baseline hearing test. It’s a simple, painless check-up that could save your hearing for a lifetime.