Occupational Deafness: Know Your Rights 6/11/2011

Most people expect a small degree of hearing loss as they get older. But what many people don’t realise is that excessive noise in the workplace can be a trigger for premature hearing loss and other hearing related conditions. Occupational deafness can occur many years later, and you have a right to claim noise induced hearing loss compensation, years after the event.

What is Occupational Deafness?

If you are exposed to excessive noise at work, your hearing can be affected. Hearing loss is permanent, and irreversible, and temporary hearing impairment can be an early warning sign that permanent damage is being done.

Sufferers may also experience tinnitus, which is a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears. Often appearing after a period of excessive noise at work, tinnitus can be very distressing, causing sleep problems and anxiety. Tinnitus is another early warning sign of damage to your hearing.

Deafness claims can be made by anyone suffering from these hearing problems as a result of excessive noise at work.

It Happened Years Ago: Can I Still Make A Deafness Claim?

Because many people do not realise at the time that they are suffering from noise induced hearing loss, claims are – more often than not – made after the event. Hearing loss may not become apparent until many years after the excessive noise at work occurred. As the natural ageing process begins, hearing loss starts, but progresses at a faster rate than expected. Only then do many people realise that they are sufferers and may be entitled to claim.

Claims for noise induced hearing loss compensation can therefore be made many years after the excessive noise at work to which you were subjected occurred. The important date with regard to claiming compensation is when you first became aware your hearing was impaired, not the date on which the event occurred. Deafness claims can therefore be made many years - and sometimes decades after - the excessive noise took place.

A Noisy Workplace was Expected: Can I Still Make a Deafness Claim?

Many industrial, manufacturing or construction workplaces are inherently noisy, and some employers may state that this is an expected aspect of any job in such an environment. However, in such workplaces, employers have a duty of care to protect employees from risks associated with excessive noise, for example by providing ear protection. If you were not offered any kind of ear protection, then you have a right to make a noise induced hearing loss claim.

What are the Recommended Noise Level Limits?

The current legal limit for average noise levels above which employers must provide ear protection is 80 decibels. As a rough guide, if you need to raise your voice to talk to someone who is standing four feet away, then noise levels are likely to be around 80-90 decibels, and thus above the legal level. Again, if you are not provided with ear protection in these circumstances and your hearing has been affected, then you have the right to make a noise induced hearing loss claim.

What Now?

If you would like to talk to someone and find out more about your rights with regard to industrial deafness, call one of our specialist advisors today.
Call us now on 0161 763 0052 for further advice - we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.