Manning WGPillay M2023-09-282023-09-292020-03-242023-09-282023-09-292020-03-24Manning WG, Pillay M. (2020). A critical analysis of the current South African occupational health law and hearing loss.. S Afr J Commun Disord. 67. 2. (pp. e1-e11).0379-8046http://hdl.handle.net/10179/20190Background: Occupational health laws must recognise the constitutional requirement of substantive equality, and its role in ‘the progressive realisation’ of the rights provided by Section 27. Objectives: Our main aim is to review current South African occupational health law (vis-à-vis workers’ constitutional rights) in relation to hearing loss. We focus on gaps in the law regarding occupational hearing loss in South Africa. Method: Our review of legal texts relies on experience as a methodological device augmented by the use of a critical science. Guided by literature or evidence synthesis methodologies, South African primary and secondary laws were reviewed along with unpublished (non-peer-reviewed) grey literature. An established six-step framework guided our thematic analysis. A semantic approach aided the critical interpretation of data using the Bill of Rights as a core analytical framework. Results: Four themes are discussed: (1) separate and unequal regulatory frameworks; (2) monologic foregrounding of noise; (3) minimisation of vestibular disorders; and (4) dilution of ototoxic agents. The highly divided legal framework of occupational health and safety in South Africa perpetuates a monologic ‘excessive noise-hearing loss’ paradigm that has implications for the rights of all workers to equal protections and benefits. There is a need to harmonise occupational health and safety law, and expand the scope of hearing-protection legislation to include the full range of established ototoxic hazards. Conclusion: Occupational audiology is dominated by efforts to address noise-induced hearing loss. A ‘noise’ despite the reality of workers’ exposures to a range of ototoxic stressors that act synergistically on the ear, resulting in audio-vestibular disorders.e1-e11CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/audiologychemicalhearing lossoccupational healthoccupational health and safety lawototoxicityHearing Loss, Noise-InducedHuman RightsHumansNoise, OccupationalOccupational DiseasesOccupational ExposureOccupational HealthSouth AfricaJournal article10.4102/sajcd.v67i2.6942225-47652023-09-05Massey_Darkjournal-article