Industrial deafness refers to hearing loss that is induced by noise due to the working environment, over a long period of time. There are several ranges of hearing loss in industrial deafness, varying from temporary deafness to permanent deafness.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulation 2005 was introduced to limit the level of decibels workers are exposed to, protecting you from hearing loss. If health and safety practices aren’t followed, however, you may be able to proceed with accident at work claims.
Industries popular for Industrial Deafness
- Steelworks
- Factories
- Stone cutting and quarrying
- Construction
- Power stations
Machinery that Causes Industrial Deafness
- Drills
- Saws
- Grinders
- Pneumatic tools
- Jack hammers
- Sand burner
- Presses
- Hammer mill
Types of Industrial Deafness
Temporary hearing loss tends to occur when loud noise is continuous for an extended period of time, often around 75 or 80 decibels. Some hearing loss for a few hours after being exposed to the noise is expected, accompanied by muffled hearing. Prolonged exposure to loud noises and not enough time for recovery in between can lead to permanent hearing loss.
If permanent, hearing loss symptoms won’t improve. Your ears’ hair cells don’t replenish should they deteriorate, and you might find that you struggle to hear conversations in a normal tone of voice and several frequencies.
Being exposed to loud noises from machinery without adequate ear protection can lead to temporary or permanent tinnitus. Some of the symptoms you may experience from tinnitus are ringing, buzzing, or roaring in either just one or both your ears, difficulty sleeping due to the noise, change in pitch from low to high, difficulty hearing specific noises, and difficulty concentrating.
Also known as acoustic shock, acoustic trauma is caused by very loud noises at a very close proximity. This can cause irreparable damage to your hearing, especially if the level of noise was extremely high and caused a perforated eardrum.
A few examples of industrial hearing loss symptoms:
- Turning up the audio from electronics, such as your television
- Loss of hearing in one or both of your ears
- Ringing, roaring, buzzing, or similar noises as a sign of tinnitus
- Not hearing parts of sentences in a conversation
- Difficulty hearing a conversation with background noise
Making a Claim
To make a claim on industrial deafness, you need to have a report from a medical expert confirming the diagnosis. The cause for your condition has to be from a noise source due to exposure to a specific type of machinery which you work in close proximity with regularly.
If your employer, at the time of the exposure, could have reasonably prevented your hearing loss then they can be liable. They can also be liable if they were negligent in protecting you from noise exposure, putting your health at risk.
If you believe that your hearing loss is due to improper health and safety conditions at work, why not get in touch with us on 01772 562084 for an expert opinion? We always make sure that your best interests are protected, so that you can focus on your recovery.