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13/10/05 - CONFERENCE TO RAISE THE VOLUME ON THE DANGERS OF ACOUSTIC SHOCK IN THE WORKPLACE
A major conference will bring together experts in the field of acoustic safety at work from the scientific, medical, and legal communities to discuss the controversial subject of acoustic shock.

Acoustic shock syndrome is a serious condition suffered by call centre workers caused by inadequate protection from sharply rising noise interference. This can result in tinnitus, ear pain, nausea, and anxiety, and contributes to the high levels of absenteeism and staff attrition in the call centre industry.

The Acoustic Safety Programme Conferences, being held on November 7 and 11 at the Government’s National Physical Laboratory (a state-of-the–art scientific research centre in Teddington, London), aims to raise awareness of acoustic shock and introduce solutions to those in the call centre industry and the general public.

4% of the UK workforce are employed in call centres, and an RNID survey of 15 of these call centres found that 30% of their staff suffered from tinnitus. Despite the availability of equipment and solutions that affords call centre workers protection from acoustic shock, some employers and headset manufacturers refuse to recognise the condition.

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Note to editors
Press are welcome to attend the first conference on November 7 at 9am when there will be an important announcement by a guest speaker (tbc), and photo opportunity. If you wish to attend or have any enquiries please contact Michael Hardware at Chelgate on 0207 939 7939 or meh@chelgate.com.

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