Hearing problems related to work?

[DaCook]

"Mommy, didn't you hear me?" (daughter)
"Marlene, are you ignoring me?" (hubby)
"Mommy, everyone else doesn't mumble." (daughter)
"Marlene, I just told you that!" (hubby)

After much prodding from both daughter and hubby, I finally made an appointment to get my hearing checked. Not good news. Pretty much deaf in the left ear and hearing way below normal in the right. My doctor suspects it could be work related, standing under the exhaust fan on a regular basis (it is loud). Let's face it professional kitchens, usually are loud.
Anyone else have hearing problems related to work?

[bjcotton]

Darn Marlene. I hope they find a solution. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Genevieve]

Its funny but the deaf ones at work drive me mad largely because I feel a certain laziness from many chefs that like a bit of extra time to think of an answer by making you repeat yourself. I usually have to be asked twice before I will repeat myself but I make an exception for those that use English as a second language.

I don’t know if the job affects peoples hearing long term, I tend to think that you have good hearing in the kitchen or you don’t. I personally suffered an ear infection at the age of 12 that reduced the hearing significantly and permanently in one of my ears, but I always take a few seconds to think about what some one says before I get them to repeat themselves as I often just work it out.

I guess I am guilty of not being overly patient (how unusual for a chef).

[holeshot]

whats that?
industrial deafness
i suffer too
how about freestanding mixers for noise?
need a sign on the wall
"ear protection must be worn at all times"

[miahoyhoy]

Oh god don't let OSHA hear that!
OOPS, sorry for the pun.
That sux Marlene.
Don't know about the work related thing though. I've workied in loud kitchens for some 20 years. ( Jeezus!!! 20 years?!?!?!?!) Also played in a VERY loud band for almost 8 years. My hearing is still fine.

some 20 years

I know I shouldn't but now I feel old!

[DaCook]

I know I shouldn't but now I feel old!

Not as old as I am feeling, but maybe the Doc is just giving me a way to get "Worker's Comp." to pay for a hearing aid. He knows how little cooks get paid.

[miahoyhoy]

That's a good angle!

[DaCook]

the deaf ones at work drive me mad

but I make an exception for those that use English as a second language

Sorry, but I find that offensive. I have holes in my tongue from biting it, but I could not hold back. You have patience for those that have language problems, but none for those who are hearing impaired? I suppose you have no patience with those with other handicaps, as well.
Just wrote you off my Christmas list.

[miahoyhoy]

I think she was refering to those with "selective hearing" not folks with actual hearing imparement.

[miahoyhoy]

Or maybe not?

[cjs]

Is English her second language and she's having trouble expressing herself??????

[ddcain2003]

I've got significant hearing damage as well Marlene, and it's a real pain at times. Girlfriend on me about "mumbling", me saying "what? " all the time, and so on...
I make it a point to let people know that I don't hear to well when I know that I'm going to be around then for extended periods of time, like on the job.
I'm one of those who doesn't answer right away, I have to take that second to make sure that I heard something right, I hate it when I give someone an answer that doesn't co-relate to the question asked although it does make for some laughs at times!!!
I have tintinitus in both ears and it can drive me nuts at times, but mine was caused by working on a construction site and loud music. One of these days I'm going to go for the hearing aid as well, I'm sure I'm a candidate for them. Guess my ego is in the way though.

[attie]

I have tintinitus in both ears

I've got that problem as well Dave and from building machinery. Constant rining in my ears which drives me crazy at times, especially at night when it's quiet. My doc says get used to it, nothing can be done

[ddcain2003]

Hey Wayne, do your ears ring at different pitches? Thats what drives me nuts

[attie]

They sure do Dave, I don't notice it during the day and go to sleep with the TV on sleep most nights. I normally wake 3/4am and that's when it is worst