One in four Australian workers suffer ‘ringing ears’. 

A new study has found that as many as half a million Australians are suffering from constant tinnitus, with farmers, automotive workers, transport drivers, construction workers and other tradespeople at the greatest risk.

The study examined the prevalence of tinnitus among 5,000 adults currently employed across the country.

The data was released at the start of Tinnitus Awareness Week, which runs until February 13. It aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of tinnitus, a sensation of ringing, buzzing, clicking or other noises in the ears that can disturb sleep and cause anxiety and depression.

“We estimate that more than 500,000 Australian workers experience constant tinnitus, indicating the prevalence of tinnitus in the Australian workforce is high,” says audiologist Kate Lewkowski, from the Curtin School of Population Health.

“Working men aged 55 to 64 years were most likely to suffer from tinnitus, with workers in the automotive, transport, agricultural, construction and other trade industries at the greatest risk.”

Co-author John Curtin Distinguished Professor Lin Fritschi, also from the Curtin School of Population Health, said the high incidence of tinnitus in certain occupations indicated it may be preventable.

“The prevalence of tinnitus was high in occupations most exposed to hazardous noise levels, such as farming, construction work, automotive industries, and other trades,” Professor Fritschi said.

“However, as drivers are not usually exposed to the same levels of loud noise as some other workers, it is interesting that this workforce has a high prevalence of tinnitus. One theory is that other workplace exposures, such as carbon monoxide in vehicle exhaust, may be contributing to the risk.

“While there is a documented link between hazardous noise exposure and tinnitus, the role workplace chemicals play in the development of tinnitus requires further detailed examination.”

The survey found men were more likely than women to report any tinnitus or constant tinnitus, and the likelihood of constant tinnitus increased with age for both men and women.

The survey was conducted through the Australian Workplace Exposure Survey (AWES) ‒ Hearing.

The full paper is accessible here.