Has my work damaged my hearing?
As we get older, some of the good health we previously took for granted starts to deteriorate. The most common cause of hearing loss is simply the ageing process. But in certain cases, exposure to excessive noise has been the cause. And often, that exposure to noise has taken place at work. In fact, cases of hearing loss account for three quarters of occupational conditions and regularly a claim for damages can be pursued.
How do I know whether my hearing loss has been caused by noise?
This requires expert medical opinion, usually from an ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon. The surgeon can carefully review your medical history and perform a hearing test. The results are displayed on a type of graph called an audiogram. Occupational hearing loss has a very distinct pattern which can clearly be seen on the audiogram. If that pattern is on the result, the surgeon will normally conclude that your hearing loss has been caused by excessive noise exposure.
How do I know whether the noise I worked in was “bad enough” to allow me to pursue a case?
Noise level is measured in decibels (dB). For example, normal conversation is around 60dB; general factory noise about 80dB and if you stand in front of the speaker at a disco, that’s about 120dB. Damage to hearing occurs from an average daily exposure exceeding 80dB, although it varies from person to person. The higher the noise levels and the longer the exposure, the greater the damage. An expert solicitor will know how to prove the noise levels where you worked.
What if I worked in lots of different noisy places over the years?
This is the situation for many people, and a case can be pursued simultaneously against a variety of employers.
What if the company I worked for no longer exists?
In fact what matters most is identifying an insurance company which insured them. Employers Liability Insurance became compulsory in 1969.
Is it worth going to the hassle of pursuing a claim for damages?
In a word – yes. An employer who has negligently exposed their workers to noise levels so bad that their hearing has been damaged will be held liable by the Courts to pay damages. An experienced solicitor will take all the relevant details and instruct the appropriate experts, usually involving very little hassle at all for the injured individual.
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