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INDUSTRIAL DEAFNESS SOLICITOR
COMPENSATION ADVICE

We are a network of industrial deafness solicitor specialists that provide legal advice for compensation claims at no cost. We work on a completely risk free no win no fee basis and you do not have to fund or finance your claim in any respect. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions and win or lose there is no charge. If you submit your details an experienced advocate who is a member of The Law Society Panel of personal injury experts will respond and give free advice without obligation on what steps you should take to apply for industrial injury compensation. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged anything at all.

This condition was first described in the UK over 100 years ago and certain manufacturing occupations, such as boilermakers, had a high rate of hearing loss and similar problems were known due to noisy equipment in Lancashire’s cotton mills. The hearing loss results from exposure to loud sounds for a significant period and may range from mild to profound and may also result in tinnitus which is a ringing of the ears. The hearing loss is due to the cumulative effect of noise on the ear, the technical term for which is the daily personal noise exposure level. Unfortunately this condition is not medically treatable and nothing can reverse it.

Noise induced hearing loss is an avoidable condition if an employer complies with the law and takes adequate steps to protect his workforce. If an employee can show that his employer's negligence has caused hearing loss then he may be able to claim compensation, the amount of which is linked to the extent of the condition.

Hearing loss can be caused by old age, childhood illnesses or by changes in the ear caused by exposure to excessive noise levels. The two main types are 'conductive' hearing loss, which is common but is not caused by noise and 'sensorineural' hearing loss, which is caused by damage to the inner ear by noise.

The extent of the problem and whether or not it was caused as a result of noise at work can be positively established by the use of an Evoked Response Audiogram, the results which are immune to any exaggeration or malingering on the part of the claimant.

To prove his case an industrial deafness solicitor will usually rely on the provisions in The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 which outline the employer's responsibilities as follows:-

  • A noise assessment must be performed where any employee could be exposed to dangerous noise levels.

  • There is a duty to reduce the risk of noise damage to the lowest level reasonably practicable by muffling the noise, or reducing exposure.

  • Hearing protection should be provided if requested by the employee where exposure is likely to be between 85 dBA and 90 dBA. An employer must provide employees with hearing protection for exposure over 90dBA and must ensure that it is fully used. Manufacturing or noisy equipment areas exceeding 90dBA must be clearly marked as mandatory ear protection zones

  • Adequate instruction must be given on the risks of damage to hearing from exposure to noise together with advice on how to reduce the risk.