Excessive noise in the workplace results in long-term damage to one-third of Ireland's workforce, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
HSA chief executive Tom Beegan said hearing loss had been recognised as the most prevalent, irreversible industrial disease and that long-term exposure to excessive noise was "an accident happening in slow motion".
Tackling excessive noise in the workplace is the focus of this year's European Safety Week, which began yesterday.
The HSA has increased the number of scheduled workplace inspections to be carried out nationwide this week and are particularly targeting high-risk noise environments.
"The music and entertainment industry, bottling plants, call centres, piggeries and sawmills will see increased inspections. But any workplace can be an area where noise is a problem. Having to raise your voice in the office or having to turn up your radio or TV after you leave work can mean your workplace is excessively noisy," said a HSA spokesman.