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U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), has documented that noise exposure is a leading preventable cause of hearing loss.

CDC/NIOSH materials emphasize that hearing damage can occur gradually over time from repeated exposure to loud sound, and that the risk is not limited to industrial workplaces–everyday environments and recreational noise can also contribute to harm.

NIOSH guidance focuses on prevention through exposure reduction, hearing protection, and improved standards in occupational settings. Their work supports the broader public-health understanding that noise is a cumulative exposure with long-term consequences, especially when high sound levels are frequent or sustained.