Americans are going deaf all across the country while struggling to make a living. Workers most at risk include military personnel, construction workers, miners and factory workers. These professionals and several others are routinely exposed to high-decibel noises over time that can damage hearing. Some might even go deaf altogether. 

The CDC estimates that in construction work, 51% of workers face hazardous noises in their work environments. To make things worse, not all construction workers adhere to safety standards when it comes to protecting themselves. Roughly 31% of them report that they do not wear protective gear for their ears. This has led to the following developments: 

• About 25% of construction workers exposed to hazardous noises have some degree of material hearing loss. 
• About 16% of construction workers exposed to hazardous noises suffer hearing impairment in both ears. 
• Roughly 14% of all construction workers have some degree of hearing impairment. 
• Roughly 7% of all construction workers experience ringing in the ears. 

CNN reports that of all work-related injuries, hearing loss is the most common. Workers receive $242 million every year as compensation for hearing loss disability. The Labor Department wants to reduce this figure and has been soliciting professionals in safety and tech to come up with new ways to address the issue. 

Some people argue that the tech already exists. The issue is more likely to be compliance. Employers do not always provide the necessary safety gear for workers. They may also fail to educate workers about the risks that come with the job, causing many hardworking men and women to learn the truth the hard way.