Many workers, including those who work in construction and those in the manufacturing industry, are exposed to high levels of noise each day. Prolonged exposure to sounds over 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss. The issue is that the hearing loss might occur slowly over time, so the worker may not realize it until it’s too late. Once hearing loss is present, it’s not reversible.
Hearing loss doesn’t only affect their ability to do their job, it can also affect communication with family and quality of life. Even social interactions are affected by this injury. Feelings of isolation, stress and frustration are common for workers whose jobs rely heavily on communication or auditory signals. This condition can lead to an inability to work.
Employers must mitigate hearing loss risk
The onus is on the employers to ensure that they provide a safe work environment for every worker. This includes taking steps to reduce noise levels. Personal protective equipment, sound barriers and quieter equipment are some of the more common options that employers can use to protect employee hearing. They should also offer regular hearing tests that can help to identify early signs of damage before the hearing loss becomes permanent.
Lifelong care is necessary for hearing loss
On-the-job hearing loss is a significant problem. Once the hearing loss occurs, lifelong care is necessary. Some workers may need hearing aids, which can increase the cost of care. Workers who have job-related hearing loss may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These can cover medical treatment and hearing aids. If the hearing loss affects their ability to return to work, they may be eligible for partial wage replacement or vocational rehabilitation.
Because hearing loss occurs gradually, there’s no single incident to point to when trying to get workers’ compensation benefits. This can increase the complexity of the case, so it may be best to work with someone familiar with these matters.
