Suffering from hearing impairment, getting treatment, and making a claim

Not only can industrial deafness become frustrating for the sufferer if they experience sounds brought on by tinnitus, it can have a negative impact on the person's social life.

Unable to hear things properly, they may find that they cannot conduct an in-depth conversation, cannot watch television at a volume level which allows others to watch comfortably with them, and lose the ability to hear music as well as they used to.

Disheartened, or potentially even embarrassed by their condition, they could start to avoid social situations in order to avoid people interacting with them.

This elective social seclusion is likely to lead to further stress and can lead to lack of sleep, loss of appetite, anxiety and depression.

Help from GPs and doctors

By visiting a GP, who may refer the victim to a hearing specialist, a medical professional may be able to improve the quality of the sufferer's life.

One of the most common treatments available is the use of hearing aids. There are a large variety of hearing aids and some types will suit patients better than others.

Cochlear implants are another form of treatment which involves an operation to place a small device behind the ear to stimulate the hearing nerve.

Another way in which a sufferer may be helped is by learning British Sign Language (BSL) and having friends and family get involved in the learning process. In this way they may be able to understand what others around them are saying better.

For more information about the types of hearing aids available, visit the NHS website by clicking here.