Permanent Noise Related Hearing Loss
If you have worked in noise for long periods, this causes damage to the hair cells in the cochlea resulting in hearing loss. This level of noise and the period over which you have been exposed determine the extent of your hearing loss in most cases. Many people people fail to recognise the symptoms of hearing loss and think the problems are caused by age or as many clients describe it "the wear and tear of life". Noise at work, in most cases, destroys the ability for the ear to pick up higher frequencies resulting in difficulty hearing conversations and complete sentences as letters such as T, D and S become difficult to hear making sentences disjointed. Sadly this type of hearing loss is permanent.
Symptoms
As with any type of hearing loss people often complain of the symptoms set out below:
- Struggling hear people when they are talking to you.
- Having to ask people to continually speak up when there is some sort of background noise.
- Not picking up full sentences and parts of words when people are speaking.
- Having the TV turned up louder than everyone else thinks is normal.
- Struggling to hear people on the telephone.
- Being told you are shouting when you think you talking at a normal level.
Many people simply accept this as part of the aging process and we often hear "I just thought it was my age". This causes many people to suffer in silence and many only seek medical attention after years of denying there is a problem.
Treatment
Noise related hearing loss is permanent and there is no cure. Depending on the severity of the hearing loss you may be recommended hearing aids. These can be provided by the NHS or bought privately. We have provided a useful link which may assist with your choice. http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/supporting-you/factsheets-and-leaflets/hearing-aids.aspx
In most cases you will attend your GP about you hearing problems who will send you to see an audiologist. They will perform a hearing test (Link to Hearing Test). Once you have the results you may be sent to see an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist who will discuss with you the possible causes of your hearing loss. If you suspect it is noise you should advise the specialist of where you worked and how you came to be exposed to noise. You will then go back to an audiologist who will fit your hearing aids.
If your hearing loss is noise related then you may be able to recover the reasonable cost of any privately bought hearing aids and the future maintenance costs. This is something we would be able to advise you about.
Can I Seek Compensation for Hearing Loss or Tinnitus?
You may be entitled to compensation if you were exposed to excessive noise at work. The severity of the condition dictates the level of compensation that can be awarded. As hearing loss is often associated with tinnitus the two are linked together for compensation. We have set out the range of compensation that can be awarded below:
- Total deafness £73,315 to £88,660
- Total Hearing loss in one ear £25,300 to £36,850
- Severe tinnitus with hearing loss £23,980 to £36,850
- Moderate tinnitus with hearing loss £12,100 to £23,980
- Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss £10,175 to £12,00
- Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight hearing loss £5,940 to £10,175
- Slight hearing loss Up to £5665
If you have tinnitus or hearing loss and been exposed to noise or trauma then contact us today and we will help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Can I be Compensated for?
We can assist you in seeking compensation for:
- The hearing loss or tinnitus
- The reasonable costs of any therapy or treatment
- In some cases, the reasonable cost of any equipment such as hearing aids or tinnitus masking devices