Study shows one-quarter of Australian workers suffer from tinnitus

New research from Curtin University shows one-quarter of the Australian workforce suffer from tinnitus, a condition that can disturb sleep and cause anxiety and depression. This finding raises serious safety concerns for industries where noise exposure remains high, including construction sites requiring a documented safe work method statement.

Key Findings of the Study

The study of 5,000 Australian workers revealed around half a million Australians suffer from constant tinnitus. Farmers, automotive workers, transport drivers, construction workers and other tradespeople face the greatest risk, according to researchers.

Results were published in the Medical Journal of Australia at the start of Tinnitus Awareness Week (7 Feb—13 Feb), placing renewed attention on hearing-related safety within high-noise trades.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Lead author and audiologist Ms Kate Lewkowski from the Curtin School of Population Health said many Australian workers suffer from tinnitus, adding that risk climbs sharply in men aged 55 to 64 years.

"Working men aged 55 to 64 years were most likely to suffer from constant tinnitus, with workers in the automotive, transport, agricultural, construction and other trade industries at the greatest risk," Ms Lewkowski said.

• Farming and agricultural work
• Construction and building trades
• Automotive manufacturing and repair
• Transport and heavy vehicle driving
• Other high-noise trade occupations

Why Tinnitus May Be Preventable

Study co-author Professor Lin Fritschi, also from the Curtin School of Population Health, said high prevalence of tinnitus in certain occupations shows the condition may be partially preventable through better workplace protections and improved safety practices on-site.

"The prevalence of tinnitus was high in occupations most exposed to hazardous noise levels, such as farming, construction work, automotive industries, and other trades," Professor Fritschi said.

These findings echo broader concerns about worker wellbeing across physically demanding sectors. Similar patterns of risk have surfaced in other recent studies, including one revealing that an Australian farmer takes their own life every 10 days, and another examining mental health outcomes among WA mine workers. Together, this research underscores why sustained investment in occupational health remains essential.

Building a Culture of Support

Employers across construction, manufacturing and transport should treat this data as a call to strengthen hearing conservation programs and broader health initiatives. Providing consistent support for affected workers, alongside regular monitoring, can reduce long-term impacts on wellbeing.

Safety leaders can also draw on existing resources — for example, teams managing remote or hybrid arrangements may benefit from a Working from Home Management Plan or a formal Working from Home Policy, both of which reinforce a broader commitment to worker health across all environments, not solely on construction sites.

First aid preparedness also plays a role in comprehensive safety planning. A well-stocked General Purpose First Aid Kit meeting Australian Standards supports workplaces aiming to address immediate health needs while longer-term hearing support programs get established.

Given that construction remains among the highest-risk industries identified in the study, ongoing vigilance matters. Recent data showing eighty-one Australian workers killed in the first half of 2022 further highlights why construction employers must prioritise comprehensive safety measures, spanning noise exposure, mental health and physical hazards alike.

Where to Learn More

Additional information on the study is available on the Curtin University website, offering deeper insight into methodology and full survey outcomes for safety professionals seeking to benchmark risk across construction, transport and agricultural sectors.