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Many people in Britain could be entitled to make a work injury hearing loss compensation claim, but don't realise it.
Despite hearing loss being a well known and not unusual problem, especially amongst older generations, some people do not realise that they themselves are suffering from it.
Every day most people are exposed to noises which could have an impact on their hearing, but some are exposed to much louder sounds with much more regularity at work. They could be entitled to make a hearing loss compensation claim should their ability to hear things suffer.
Types of hearing loss
There are two types of hearing loss. One is temporary and the other permanent.
Temporary hearing loss is most commonly caused by exposure to loud sounds. This is called noise-induced hearing loss, and is bought on due to the delicate arrangement of the inner ear becoming damaged.
Noise-induced hearing loss may include a ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus. If exposure to loud noise is continuous, or resumes again before the episode of tinnitus has subsided, then temporary hearing loss may turn into permanent hearing loss.
Other causes of temporary hearing loss are a blockage in the ear, such as wax, an infection, a tear or rupture in the eardrum, or damage to the inner ear's sensory structures. Some drugs, as well as some auto-immune diseases such as Lupus, may also provoke temporary loss of hearing.
Permanent hearing loss is caused by repeated exposure to dangerous levels of sound.
The nerves of the inner ear become too damaged and cannot send their usual signals to the brain. Permanent hearing loss is often untreatable.
In old age, permanent hearing loss is caused by the nerves and sensory cells slowly dying. This is a natural process, whereas nerves being damaged by high sound levels is not.
Signs of temporary hearing loss
The sufferer will notice a deadening of sound in either one or both of their ears. They may also experience dizziness, pain, or a ringing in their ears.
Signs of permanent hearing loss
The sufferer will have difficulty hearing conversations, especially if there is background noise. They may find it difficult to hear people on the phone and need the television turned up, possibly to a volume which is uncomfortable for others, to hear it better.
How to avoid having to make a hearing loss compensation claim
How loud is too loud?
If someone is in an environment in which they are unable to hear a person talking at high volume from 3 feet away (roughly 1 meter distance), then their ears are being exposed to a dangerous level of sound.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the Dangerous Decibels project website have clear illustrated guidelines showing at which point the ear is being exposed to too loud a sound. They also explain how long someone can be exposed to various levels of sound, before it begins to harm the eardrum and inner ear nerves.
An example of work-related hearing loss
The websites mentioned above illustrate that it is difficult not to suffer from hearing loss in the modern world, but some trades carry an increased risk of hearing loss and workers in these employment sectors should be made aware of the danger and be given ear protection.
A man who worked in a ship's galley between 1978 and 1998 described the symptoms of hearing loss and an audiogram test discovered that the man had suffered a 22% loss of hearing. His work in the ship's galley was found to be the likely cause of 50% of that hearing loss.
A record of noise exposure in the ship's galley had not been kept, but it was reported that workers regularly used hand signals to communicate with one another above the noise.
The man won his hearing loss compensation claim, as the employee was found liable for the high level of noise and lack of ear protection provided to workers..
Obtaining hearing loss compensation
If you are suffering from work-related hearing loss due to the lack of ear protection or poor control of the work place, then your employer could be found liable and you could make a hearing loss compensation claim for work injury.
YouClaim solicitors work on a no win, no fee basis, and should your claim be successful you will receive 100% compensation. We don't take a cut from your remuneration.
So, fill out our short online claim form, use online chat to talk to a member of our team over the internet, or phone us on 0800 10 757 95.
