American Workers Risk Hearing Loss, But Solutions Exist An estimated 22 million American workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Occupational hearing loss (OHL) is the third most common chronic physical condition among adults, after hypertension and arthritis – and it’s proven costly for employers. American businesses pay an estimated $242 million annually in workers compensation claims tied to hearing loss, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, and NIOSH, insurers, and various nonprofits, are spreading the word about hearing health.