Noise-induced hearing loss develops gradually and may take years to manifest. It is most likely traumatic if your hearing loss results from an abrupt exposure to loudness, a physical injury, or chemical exposure at work.
Table of Contents
- What is Noise-induced Hearing Loss?
- What Distinguishes Sudden Hearing Loss From Noise-induced Hearing Loss?
- Who is Affected by Noise-induced Hearing Loss?
- Is Noise-induced Hearing Loss Preventable?
- What Should I Do if I Suspect I Have Hearing Loss From My Job?
- Filing a Claim – Workers Compensation
- Sources
What is Noise-induced Hearing Loss?
We are constantly exposed to sound in our surroundings, including that from radio and television, home appliances, and traffic.
Normally, these noises are not harmful to our hearing since they are within acceptable levels, however, noises that are both loud and prolonged or that are excessively loud even for a small period of time might be hazardous.
These noises have the potential to harm the inner ear’s delicate tissues and result in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
What Distinguishes Sudden Hearing Loss From Noise-induced Hearing Loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss develops gradually and may take years to manifest. It is most likely traumatic if your hearing loss results from an abrupt exposure to loudness, a physical injury, or chemical exposure at work.
A sudden loss of hearing brought on by direct head trauma or a concussion brought on by a fall at work are examples of traumatic hearing loss.
The slow deterioration of your hearing over a lengthy period of time, typically years, as a result of repeated exposure to noisy equipment or tools at work is an example of noise-induced hearing loss.
Who is Affected by Noise-induced Hearing Loss?
NIHL can affect persons of various ages, including kids, teenagers, young adults, and the elderly.
According to a 2011–2012 study that included hearing tests and participant interviews, at least 40 million adults in the US have hearing test characteristics that indicate a hearing loss in one or both ears from exposure to loud noise.
Based on data from 2005–2006, researchers have also calculated that up to 17% of teenagers (aged 12 to 19) had hearing test characteristics that are indicative of NIHL in either one or both ears (Pediatrics 2011).
Is Noise-induced Hearing Loss Preventable?
The only kind of hearing loss that can be entirely avoided is NIHL. You can safeguard your hearing for the rest of your life if you are aware of the dangers of noise and know how to maintain excellent hearing health.
- Know the sources of noise, and move away from the noise if you can’t muffle it or shield yourself from it
- When engaging in a noisy activity, use earplugs or other safety equipment (activity-specific earplugs and earmuffs are available at hardware and sporting goods stores).
- Inform your loved ones, friends, and coworkers about the dangers of loudness.
- If you believe you may have hearing loss, get your hearing checked.
What Should I Do if I Suspect I Have Hearing Loss From My Job?
You should consult an audiologist if you believe you may have hearing loss caused by noise. Hearing specialists known as audiologists are qualified to test your hearing.
You should make a claim for noise-induced hearing loss if you have had a hearing test and/or have been diagnosed with hearing loss that you believe was brought on by working in one or more loud workplaces.
Filing a hearing loss claim via:
- Employer
- Medical professional
- Audiologist
- Hearing center
- Union
- Representative of your choosing
Filing a Claim – Workers Compensation
Since 1911, there have been over 2.5 million workers’ compensation claims filed. Hearing loss workers’ compensation claims now rank #3 in the number of occupational diseases claims filed.
Hearing loss workers’ compensation benefits are largely undiscovered benefits covering hearing health care, which is often uninsured. Many health insurance policies and programs like Medicare do not cover hearing aid purchases but workers’ compensation can.
It also pays for the disability of hearing loss just as it does for the loss of eyesight or other injuries.
Aging populations, advances in technology, and greater sensitivity to hearing loss are bringing more attention to financing hearing health care. For the most part, those who qualify for hearing loss workers’ compensation benefits are retired hearing-impaired workers who live on fixed incomes.
Always feel free to ask Johnson Law Offices about the process, the law, or an individual case. The legal, medical, and audio-metric questions that come into play in a hearing loss workers’ compensation claim can be complicated.
The claims require attention to detail mixed with an ability to work well with hearing-impaired retirees and their families, especially spouses, and their hearing health care professionals.