Strange as it may seem, too often, a victim of hearing damage may actually be the last person to know! This could likely be the case when hearing loss occurs very gradually over a lengthy period of time when working in environments with higher than average noise levels.

The slow deterioration in hearing can, of course, occur for a number of different reasons, which may not necessarily be linked with a recognisable noise induced hearing loss. A chief cause often cited amongst the older workforce, or those near to retirement age, is the natural aging process. Serious loss of hearing through aging is now tended to be thought of by medical research as not necessarily a ‘given’ and may be equally be more attributable to other causes such as a health problem, e.g. diabetes or as a result of exposure to high levels of workplace noise.

Realising the onset of hearing loss is critical before it possibly advances to full blown industrial deafness. Those workers who may experience tinnitus, due to an excessive work environment noise, will already be fully aware that their hearing has changed as a constant ringing or buzzing sound could, on some occasions, be the first symptoms notifying of more serious hearing damage. Tinnitus, however, can fade away after a short period of time.

The early warning signs progressive deafness causes are important to be on the alert for, especially if there has been a history of working in excessively noisy workplaces without regular proper ear protection.

The first signs to be personally aware of are difficulties in hearing telephone conversations or following a conversation if more than one person is talking at a time, especially if being spoken to in a busy environment such as in a restaurant or pub, on public transport, or in a shopping mall.

Further items to be added to a personal awareness checklist is noticing an increase in the number of times you ask for words to be repeated, or misunderstanding words, having trouble hearing the higher pitched voices of women and children or becoming annoyed with others because you can’t understand what they are saying!

The penny may only drop when members of your family repeatedly complain that the TV is too loud when you are watching it! Ticking items off on your checklist, the inevitable cannot be avoided any longer and it may, indeed, be time to book a hearing test. Diagnosis confirmation of hearing loss as a result of excessive workplace noise levels could mean eligibility to pursue a personal injury compensation claim.