Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Truck Drivers

A number of claims for compensation for noise induced hearing loss have recently been initiated by truck drivers in the UK. A common feature of these claims is exposure to truck cab noise during the 1960's when such noise probably reached a maximum.

This paper surveys the data on truck cab noise levels since c. 1950. Data on vehicle operation are used to develop a method of estimating driver noise immission from which driver's hearing levels are estimated. Some examples are given showing the agreement between calculated and measured audiograms of drivers.

In the UK the situation is complicated in that most drivers who were working in the 1960's will also have performed compulsory military service and been exposed to noise immission from guns greater than their driving noise immission.