Industrial Deafness - Noise Induced Hearing Loss

In 1963 the Government published a document confirming that noise at work could cause hearing loss and Tinnitus (noises in the ear). Since, employers have been required to assess the level of noise within their work environmnet. Where the noise was assessed as being excessive they have been required to take reasonable steps to reduce the noise levels. Where this has not proved possible they have been required to provide and enforce the wearing of hearing protection.

Many employers have failed to follow Government guidelines relating to noise at work. As a result tens of thousands of employees have had their hearing damaged by their employment. There are many jobs which create excessive noise;

Printing and textiles workers
Metal machining workers
Ship building workers
Mining and manufacturing workers
Bar and nightclub workers.

It is a general misconception that you have to operate machinery for your hearing to be damaged. In fact a lot of claimants with noise induced hearing loss simply worked in a noisy factory. If the noise to which you were exposed at work was so loud that you had to shout to make yourself heard then the chances are that your hearing was damaged by your employment.

Industrial deafness is a common form of industrial disease. It is considered in the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and defined as 'the permanent loss of hearing caused by exposure to industrial noise in a worker's employment'. Excessive noise in the workplace can even lead to tinnitus. Tinnitus is the name given to the condition of noises 'in the ears' and/or 'in the head' with no external source. Tinnitus noises are described variously as ringing, whistling, buzzing and humming..

Hearing loss caused by exposure to noise at work continues to be a significant occupational disease. Research estimates that over170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work. Noise levels (given in decibel units) and how long people are exposed to the noise, daily over a number of years, are both contributing factors to hearing damage.

Employers have a legal duty to protect the hearing of their employees from excessive noise levels. Damage to hearing from exposure to loud noise at work is preventable. If people need to shout or have difficulty being heard by someone about 2 metres away there may be a noise problem.

Extraction energy, water supply, and manufacturing and construction aree the industries with the highest average annual incidence rates of new cases qualifying for benefit according to the Health and Safety Executive.  If you have worked in a noisy environment and have not been offered ear protection, or feel you have received insufficient training in using your ear protection and now have trouble hearing others speak, or suffer from noises and or ringing in the ears you may have reason for a compensation claim.

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