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Industrial Deafness Claims

If you think your hearing has been damaged by exposure to excessive noise at work then you may be able to bring an industrial deafness claim. For more than 4 decades industry has officially been aware of the effects of excessive noise at work and have had a responsibility to protect their employees from industrial deafness.

 

You may be able to claim for noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus or deafness.

Industrial deafness is caused by long-term exposure to noise. It can take many years, with sufferers often in their retirement, before significant hearing problems arise. Many people put their problems down to general ageing, rather than making the link with their work many years before. Hearing loss is generally irreversible and hearing aids are usually the only way to help with the condition.

Bringing an industrial deafness claim

Our highly regarded team of specialist occupational deafness solicitors will be able to give you free initial advice to help you understand if you have an industrial deafness claim. We may also be able to help you bring a claim if your employer has gone out of business or against multiple employers.

To bring a successful hearing damage claim we must be able to:

• Establish that you are suffering from industrial deafness and/or tinnitus, confirmed by a report from a medical expert.
• Show that the condition has been caused by exposure to a particular noise source i.e. particular employment supported by witness statements and documentary evidence from the employers.
• Show that at the time of exposure your employer could have foreseen that you might suffer from noise induced hearing loss or an associated condition.
• Show that your employer was negligent in protecting you from the noise.

Contact us today to discuss your industrial deafness claim

Please call 0800 916 9046, email enquiries@slatergordon.co.uk or use the short industrial deafness online enquiry form. Our dedicated hearing loss solicitors operate in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Cardiff and Edinburgh and can offer immediate and accessible representation anywhere in the UK.

Symptoms of industrial deafness

The first symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss include:

• missing parts of a conversation
• not being able to hear conversation where there is background noise
• having to turn the television up loud
• partners thinking they’re being ignored.

Tinnitus

Noise-induced tinnitus can be the result of damage caused by excessive noise and is characterized by the sound of buzzing in the ears. In bad cases, the buzzing is constant and can even make sleeping difficult. Tinnitus can also have emotional impacts such as anxiety or depression. Tinnitus can affect quality of life, enjoyment of hobbies and leisure activities such as reading, listening to music. There’s no cure for tinnitus, but very bad cases can be helped by using a ‘masking’ device which lessens the intensity of the buzzing.

What to do if you think you have an industrial deafness claim

If you suspect your hearing is damaged, you should visit your GP and ask for a hearing test. This will be carried out by your GP or by an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist. If your hearing loss could be related to your work it’s well worth seeking legal advice about the possibilities of claiming compensation.