“Exposure to certain chemicals at work can cause damage to different parts of the ear. These chemicals are called ototoxicants or “ototoxic chemicals.” Exposure to ototoxic chemicals can cause hearing loss. Sometimes, exposure to chemicals can make ears more sensitive to the harmful effects of noise.
Examples of chemicals that damage hearing
- Asphyxiants
- (e.g., carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and its salts, tobacco smoke)