Industrial deafness is a condition that results in gradual or sudden loss of hearing as a direct result of a person’s working environment. It is also sometimes referred to as occupational deafness or noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Noise is an inescapable part of some industries, such as on board ships in the Royal and Merchant Navy, manufacturing, construction and quarrying. The Control of Noise at Work Regulation was introduced in 2005 as a way to protect workers from excessive exposure to high levels of noise in the workplace. This regulation clearly stipulates that all employees should be employed in a risk-free working environment. This includes protection from high noise levels and any resulting damage which could occur from this.
Your employer therefore has a duty of care to assess your exposure to noise, and the risk you are facing from this noise, and to ensure there is sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), such as ear protection, and that you have received any necessary training.
Signs of hearing loss could include:
- Mishearing words when having a conversation
- Being unable to hear or follow conversations where there is background noise
- Having to turn the television up more than others find necessary or needing subtitles
- Mishearing or missing out on things told to you in passing
If any of these symptoms sound familiar then you should look to see your GP as soon as possible for a hearing test.
If you are facing hearing loss and feel it could be due to negligence by your employer, then get in touch with GA’s experienced industrial disease team today.
GA’s knowledgeable industrial disease team can work on a no win, no fee basis and support you with your industrial deafness claim every step of the way. The team is also ranked in celebrated legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers UK so you can be assured you are in the best possible hands.
For a no obligation discussion, please call 01752 203500 today. You can also contact us by emailing enquiries@GAsolicitors.com or by using our online contact form.
