What causes it? Mechanical problem, network problem, switch problem?
The basic cause is a sudden, unexpected noise, often delivered at a very intense frequency. Call Centre operatives are subject to this noise from a variety of sources. The telephone equipment used in call centres produces electrical feedback, latent sonic energy spikes, together with faulty telephone lines, non compliant switchboards, turrets and headsets. The HSE have also made reference to other sources of acoustic damage as caller abuse (shouting, screaming, blowing whistles etc), background interference at the caller’s location or ambient noise in the operator’s location.
