Can I Be Compensated For Workplace Hearing Loss?
Your hearing is one of the 5 senses that you really rely on in life and at work. But, what a lot of people don’t realize is that if they are consistently exposed to noises at work, they could be causing hearing loss. While a lot of the issues that can happen are not permanent, if they go untreated, you could face hearing loss forever.
How Many People Experience Noisy Work Conditions?
According to the CDC somewhere around, 30 million people experience noisy workplaces. But, hearing loss doesn’t just involve noisy workplaces – it can also deal with chemicals, metals or solvents that you use in the workplace, that can damage the inner ear.
What Types Of Jobs Put Workers At Risk?
When talking about noisy workplaces or dealing with chemicals, these are the top jobs that put people at risk for hearing loss.
– Construction
– Mining
– Nightclub Jobs
– Auto/Motorcycle Manufacturing or Testing
– Carpentry
– Airline Maintenance
– Manufacturing and Factories
Noises louder than 80DB can damage the inner ear permanently. Unfortunately everyday things like tools, engines, and music – are all 120DB or louder!
Help Reduce The Risk Of Hearing Loss
If you work in a noisy place you can help reduce hearing loss by wearing protective equipment. Here are a few tips to take into consideration while you are on the job.
– Wear Protection: Even if your boss doesn’t provide ear-wear, you should be wearing it, so get yourself earplugs or muffs that would reduce the noise.
– Schedule Hearing Tests: When you schedule a hearing test on a regular basis you can become aware of if your job is causing more of a hearing loss or not.
– Take Breaks: When possible, take breaks away from the noisiness going on around you. Even if you are wearing protective equipment, you still should be taking breaks. Taking breaks away from the equipment doesn’t mean you’re safe at a few inches. You should be placing yourself a few feet away from the equipment and the noise!
– Be Aware Of Loud Equipment: Make sure that you stay away from loud equipment when possible. Jackhammers, for example, can really increase your chances of hearing loss because of how loud they are. A Jackhammer can emit 120DBs even if it’s 3 feet away from where you are!
While that is a typical distance for people walking by it, it doesn’t account for workers that have to hear it at a much closer distance for a much longer time.
Can You Get Workers Compensation?
If you are going for regular visits to your audiologist and they suspect that your hearing is getting worse due to your job and prolonged workplace noise, you should know that you could have a case for workers compensation to help cover your medical costs.
In fact, if the hearing loss is really bad, you might even be able to qualify for social security disability benefits IF you can’t return to work because of the hearing loss. If you are seeking workers comp, seeing a lawyer that deals with employment laws or workers comp is going to be in your best interest.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock Bogdanhoda/Blue Planet Studio