Z57: Occupational exposure to risk-factors

Z57.0: Occupational exposure to noise

Occupational exposure to noise refers to a medical condition where an individual has been exposed, often long-term, to high levels of sound in their work environment. High levels of sound may be considered anything above 85 decibels, similar to the noise of heavy city traffic. This exposure can lead to a variety of health issues, the most common of which is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). NIHL can occur gradually over time and is often characterized by a decrease in a person's ability to hear or understand speech. In addition to hearing loss, occupational noise exposure could contribute to physical and psychological stress, reduce productivity, and interfere with communication and concentration. It's important to note that once damaged, human auditory nerves and hair cells cannot regenerate, making NIHL currently irreversible.