DECIBEL DILEMMA - “World- wide, noise-induced hear- ing impairment is the most prevalent irreversible occupational hazard, and it is estimated that 120 million people worldwide have disabling hearing difficulties.” -causes include the lack of adequate anti-noise regulations in many parts of the world; the electronic nature of our age, which encourages many noisy gadgets; the rising num- ber of vehicles on the roads; and busier airports. -In the United States, about 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous sound levels on the job