Earpieces worn by police officers across the UK may be causing long-term hearing damage, according to new research from the University of Manchester. The devices, used by most frontline officers to maintain radio contact, can produce high sound levels to overcome background noise.
The study found that over 45% of officers who wear earpieces reported temporary hearing loss immediately after use. Those who experienced after-effects were more than twice as likely to suffer from tinnitus and faced a 93% increased risk of diagnosed hearing loss. Symptoms were significantly more common in the ear with the earpiece, suggesting a direct link.
Lead researcher Dr Hannah Guest said: 'We were surprised that earpiece use with after-effects was so strongly linked to long-term hearing symptoms. The fact that symptoms tended to appear in the exposed ear, rather than the opposite ear, is a particularly telling finding.' She called for laboratory tests to confirm measurable differences between ears.
The Police Federation has raised concerns, with health and safety lead Richie Murray stating: 'We have significant concerns regarding the potential for hearing loss linked to the prolonged use of earpieces... The issues highlighted in this report echo what frontline officers have repeatedly raised with us.'
Inspector Andrea Shoetan, president of the Disabled Police Association, noted that earpiece use has increased due to body-worn video cameras, as officers must avoid recording radio communications. She added that officers often turn volume to maximum in noisy environments, increasing noise exposure risks.
