Noise Induced Deafness
Noise Induced Hearing Loss, also known as Industrial or Occupational Deafness is caused by repeated exposure to loud noise. Loud noise destroys the tiny hair like cells in the inner ear which enable you to hear and which cannot regenerate or grow back. If you have worked in any noisy occupation since 1963 without ear protection, or even if ear protection was provided (it may have been inadequate, unsuitable and/or you were not shown how to use it properly or it may just have been old and worn out) and you now find it difficult to hear, or if you hear buzzing, hissing, whistling or ringing noises in your ears (tinnitus) or have suffered temporary hearing loss, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Early signs of noise-induced hearing loss to look out for include the following:-
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vague feelings of pressure or fullness in the ears.
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Having trouble understanding what people say, especially in a crowd of people.
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Having to ask people to repeat what they just said to you.
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Not being able to hear high-pitched sounds, like a baby crying.
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Missing the telephone ringing.
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Being told that you shout or speak loudly.
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Being told that the television is on too loud.
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Ringing, buzzing, whistling or hissing in your ears especially when you are in quiet places (tinnitus).
Early symptoms may go away minutes, hours or days after the exposure to noise ends. Even if they go away quickly, permanent damage to your ears and hearing may have been done. Often people fail to notice the danger of noise as high noise levels cause few immediate symptoms and are rarely painful.
Prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage the sensitive structures of the inner ear. Cells and nerves in the inner ear are destroyed by continuous or repeated exposure to loud noise. If enough cells and nerves are destroyed, your hearing is permanently damaged.
Employers must start to take measures to protect the hearing of their workers in workplaces where noise reaches 85 decibels or more. This means that the noise has to be monitored and minimised. Employers must also inform employees how they can protect their hearing, mark out any “Ear Protection Zones“ and provide employees with ear protection and instructions on their use and care.
Unfortunately, Noise Induced Hearing Loss is permanent and incurable. Hearing aids can help but they cannot fully correct it.
The cost of hearing aids and professional treatment for tinnitus can be included as part of a claim for compensation so that you do not have to suffer delay waiting for it on the NHS.
We do not make any deductions from your compensation – you keep 100%.
