Hearing Loss & Industrial Deafness

Industrial deafness claims

Some workplaces are loud. And this can have a harmful effect on the hearing of the people who work there. Deafness, hearing damage and tinnitus can all be caused by exposure to loud noises.

Even though the noise may be unavoidable, your employer is required to do all they can to ensure you are kept safe and healthy at work.

They should always carry out risk assessments and act to reduce the noise you are exposed to. When they can’t do that, they must provide you with hearing protection.

There are legal limits to noise exposure. Your employer should ensure they are not exposing you to noises above the legal limit.

If you’ve suffered from hearing damage as a result of your work, you could be able to make a claim for hearing loss compensation against your employer. They have to have certain insurance policies in place, and it’s this policy that will pay your compensation.

We know how incredibly distressing the thought of losing your hearing can be. That’s why we’re here to help you claim the compensation you’re entitled to.

What is noise induced hearing loss?

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent hearing loss caused by loud noises over a prolonged period. But it could also be caused by a sudden loud noise you’re only exposed to over a shorter period – like an explosion.

Common jobs causing industrial hearing loss include:

• Car manufacturing
• Heavy machinery operator
• High speed drill operator
• Recycling centre worker

Hearing damage isn’t always as obvious as losing your hearing in one or both ears entirely. It can be more subtle than that. The symptoms of noise induced hearing loss include:

• Feeling like your ear is under pressure or is ‘full’
• Inability to hear high-pitched sounds
• Ringing in your ear – this is most noticeable when you’re in a quiet place
• Speech that sounds muffled or distorted

These symptoms can last a few minutes or up to a few days after you stopped being exposed to the loud noise. But just because your hearing may have returned to normal, you may have suffered permanent hearing damage.

If the loud noises you were exposed to were caused by work, you could be able to make an NIHL claim.

NIHL claims can help people get their life back on track, using the compensation to help them maintain independence. If you think you might have a claim, just get in touch with First4Lawyers.

We understand how worried you might be, and that’s why we do all we can to help you.

How much compensation can I claim?

Industrial deafness compensation amounts can depend on the severity of your hearing damage.

Our hearing loss compensation calculator could give you an idea of how much you might be entitled to in compensation.

But it’s important to remember that you can also claim compensation for the financial effect your hearing damage has had on you.

You could claim for a loss of earnings if your industrial deafness prevented you working. You could also claim for medical expenses, including hearing aids.

Your solicitor will be able to give you an idea of what you might be entitled to in compensation.

How can I pay for my claim?

Our expert solicitors will typically take on industrial deafness claims on a No Win No Fee basis.

A No Win No Fee claim means that you have the freedom to focus on yourself and dealing with your condition, rather than thinking about how to pay for your claim.

Then, at the end of your claim, you only pay your lawyer if your claim is successful and you are awarded industrial deafness compensation.

Our claims advisors will talk you through how a No Win No Fee claim works. We’re always happy to answer any questions so don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anything you want to know about making a claim.

How common is industrial deafness?

Industrial deafness is one of the more common work-related illnesses.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that from 2017/18 to 2019/20, 17,000 people were living with work-related hearing problems.

Men make up the majority of people with NIHL. Out of the 1,125 new cases of noise induced hearing loss from 2010 to 2019, 1,120 were in men.

The HSE explained that this is likely to be down to the fact women are less likely to work in jobs that could cause industrial deafness or tinnitus.

Is there a hearing loss claim time limit?

The hearing loss claim time limit is typically three years. But you may be able to make a claim after that if you didn’t realise that your work was the reason for your hearing loss.

If it took a long time to realise what caused your industrial deafness, you could make a claim up to three years from the date you found out.

Although three years sounds like plenty of time to submit your claim, the best thing to do is start the process as soon as possible. This ensures you won’t miss the deadline and you may find it easier to get access to certain pieces of evidence.

We usually help people with industrial disease claims long after they stopped working at the company responsible for their condition. This can make things challenging as companies shut down and people move on. The more time you save when claiming, the better your chances of success.

How to make a claim

To make an industrial deafness claim, just get in touch with the team at First4Lawyers. We’ll talk you through the process so you understand how making a claim works.

There’s no pressure to go ahead with anything. We work to your timescale, so we make sure you’re fully confident before proceeding.

You can start your claim online and we’ll get back to you when it’s convenient. We’re here to help.