Industrial Hearing Loss
Are you one of the thousands experiencing hearing loss as a result of working in a noisy environment?
Industrial deafness is caused by long term exposure to noise and it can take many years before significant hearing problems arise. If you have worked in a noisy environment, ask yourself:
- Is it difficult following a conversation where there is background noise?
- Do you find yourself turning up the television or radio more often?
- Do your family members think you are ignoring them?
If the answer is yes, and you have worked in a noisy environment, then you may be suffering from work related hearing loss.
We know that effect work-related illnesses can have on you, your family and your friends can be devastating. Therefore, we offer a specialist claims service for all your work-related illnesses.
Complete This Form To Start Your Claim
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How To Claim For Industrial Hearing Loss
If you worked in a noisy environment and your employer failed to proved adequate noise protection, or ensured that you wore the protection they did provide, and you are suffering from hearing loss, you may be able to claim compensation.
Your first step should be to talk to our trained advisers, who will ask you a few questions and then arrange an appointment for a free hearing test with a qualified NHS audiologist.
We have experience in successfully claiming thousands of pounds in compensation for our clients and we could do the same for you.
What Is Industrial Deafeness?
Industrial deafness, or noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the only preventable form of deafness. It occurs when the sensitive structures in our ear gets damaged by loud and/or long-lasting environmental sounds. NIHL can happen quickly but it is much more common to take a long time before it is noticed, and even then it is often someone else who points it out to the sufferer.
NIHL can be caused by one-time intense sounds, such as explosions, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over a period of time, it is most often seen in industrial hearing loss. Long or repeated exposure to sounds at, or above, 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time it takes for NIHL to happen.
Some of the more common work-related noise and their decibel levels are:
- 40 Quiet office / Library
- 50 Large office
- 80 Manual machine / Tools
- 85 Handsaw
- 90 Tractor
- 95 Power lawn mower
- 95 Electric drill
- 100 Factory machinery
- 100 Woodworking
- 110 Power saw
- 110 Leaf blower
- 120 Pneumatic drills, heavy machinery
- 120 Ambulance siren
- 125 Chainsaw / Hammer on nail
- 130 Jackhammer / Power drill
- 130 Percussion section at symphony
- 140 Airplane taking off
- 150 Jet engine taking off
- 150 Artillery fire at 500 feet
What Are The Symptoms of Industrial Deafness and Tinnitus?
Tinnitus can sounds like:
- ringing
- buzzing
- whooshing
- humming
- hissing
- throbbing
You may hear these sounds in one or both ears, or even in your head. They may come and go, or you might hear them all the time.
It’s not always easy to tell if you’re losing your hearing, the process generally happens gradually and it often takes someone else to point out the problem to you.
Common signs include:
- difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
- asking people to repeat themselves
listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need - difficulty hearing on the phone
- finding it hard to keep up with a conversation
- feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening