Hearing health

Noise-induced hearing loss rarely reverses. Prevention is everything.

Get tested if

• You hear ringing in your ears (tinnitus) — a continuous high tone.
• You keep asking people to repeat themselves.
• You turn up the TV or phone volume more and more.
• Conversation is especially hard in noisy places.
• Your ears feel blocked after work — even if it passes, repeated episodes accumulate damage.
• You suddenly lose hearing in one ear — possible sudden hearing loss. Go to an ENT clinic immediately; the sooner, the better the chance of recovery.

If you work in noise

• Noise-exposed workers may fall within the special health examination scheme, which includes hearing tests. See workplace-health.
• Earplugs and earmuffs must be provided by the employer. See protective-equipment.
• Protection only works if worn. Don't take it off even briefly.
• Noise-induced hearing loss can be recognised as an industrial disease. Keep your examination records. See occupational-disease.

Where to go

1. Have a hearing test at an ENT clinic.
2. Public health centres sometimes offer basic testing.
3. If you fall within the special health examination scheme, the employer must arrange it at a designated provider.
4. If hearing loss is confirmed, check support schemes for hearing aids — 129 and your community centre. See disability-registration.
5. If it is work-related, consult 1588-0075 about an industrial accident claim.

Where to go

• Your local ENT clinic
• 1544-3088 KOSHA (noise, special examinations)
• 1588-0075 Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (protective equipment not provided)
• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre (assistive devices)

Questions people ask

Isn't it dangerous if earplugs stop me hearing the work around me? There are protectors suited to the task. Consult your safety officer or 1544-3088. Removing protection is the greater danger.

The ringing won't stop. Get it examined. Noise exposure, stress or another condition may be behind it.

I need a hearing aid but they're expensive. Support schemes exist on registration of hearing disability. Ask 129 and your community centre. See disability-registration.

I think my child can't hear well. Infant health checks include hearing. If you suspect a problem, see an ENT clinic. See newborn-checkup and child-health-check.

Take care

Sudden loss of hearing in one ear means going to hospital at once. With sudden hearing loss, missing the treatment window makes recovery unlikely. "It'll clear up in a few days" is the most dangerous response. Long sessions of loud earphone use also destroy hearing.

Related

workplace-health · protective-equipment · occupational-disease · disability-registration · health-checkup

Source

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Health Information Portal health.kdca.go.kr / As of 2026-08