What is Occupational Deafness / Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
Occupational Deafness or Hearing loss (also referred to as or Noise Induced Hearing loss) is the deterioration of hearing over a prolonged period of time & is caused by the repeated exposure to excessive noise at work.
The Noise at Work Act 1989 was introduced to aid in reducing the number of cases of occupational deafness. This Act stipulates health and safety regulations in the workplace which must be adhered to. Your employer has the legal obligation to follow these regulations & ensure adequate safety procedures are in place.
If you are suffering from Occupational Deafness (Noise Induced Hearing loss) you may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of noise in the ear or head (ringing in the ears), and is actually generated inside the body rather than external sources. It is estimated that 10% of the population are affected by tinnitus to some degree.
A new survey published by Deafness Research UK demonstrates that ~20% of tinnitus sufferers believe that their noisy working environment was the single most important factor for them in developing tinnitus.
Further information on Occupational Hearing Loss from the Health & Safety Executive.
What should I do if I am suffering from Occupational Deafness or Tinnitus?
The first step if you are suffering from Occupational Deafness would be to call us so we can assess your claim for compensation and advise you on whether you will be eligible to claim.
The second step is to go see your GP who will need to take an in-depth history and establish a relationship between your symptoms and possible cause.
Further to this any medical(s) instigated by our solicitors will cost you nothing, they will be paid for by the solicitor and claimed back as a disbursement from the other side.
