New York City Occupational Hearing Loss Lawyers

What Is Occupational Hearing Loss?

Occupational hearing loss is damage to the inner ear from loud noise. Hearing loss can happen as a result of exposure to loud noise in the workplace over time. Occupational hearing loss claims are covered by workers’ compensation in New York.

Sounds above 80 decibels may cause vibrations strong enough to damage the inner ear. This is more likely to happen if the sound continues for a long time and there is repetitive exposure. A general guideline is that if you need to shout to be heard above the noise, the sound is in a range that can potentially damage your hearing.

How Common Is Occupational Hearing Loss?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 22 million workers in the United States are exposed to dangerous noise levels at work, and an additional 10 million workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and substances that could result in hearing loss. The CDC also reports that approximately 24 percent of hearing problems in U.S. workers results from occupational exposure.

Tinnitus, or a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, is one of the most common work-related hearing problems, affecting approximately 8 percent of the American workforce. Lost or damaged hearing can affect almost every aspect of a person’s life. It could make it difficult to continue working at their current job, and it could make it difficult to find another job in the future. Hearing loss can also affect workers by making them prone to dangers that could be avoided with a regular ability to hear.

For example, a worker with partial hearing loss could be struck by a falling object, whereas an individual with typical hearing would have been able to avoid the accident by heeding another’s warning or even by hearing the object as it fell. In this way, occupational hearing loss can lead to further workplace accidents, as well as accidents, injuries, and even fatalities occurring outside the workplace.

Signs That You May Have Occupational Hearing Loss

Some common indicators that you may be experiencing hearing damage include:

• Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in noisy environments.
• Ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in your ears (tinnitus).
• A sense that other people are mumbling or not speaking clearly.
• The need to turn up the volume on the television, radio, or phone.
• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves.

If you've noticed any of these signs, it's important to pursue medical evaluation and consult with an experienced occupational hearing loss lawyer to explore your legal options.

Which Types of Workers Are Most at Risk of Occupational Hearing Loss?

Any worker who is exposed to loud noises or harmful chemicals in the course of their employment is at risk of occupational hearing damage and/or loss. However, some types of industries pose a greater risk of occupational hearing loss to workers.

Statistically, the types of workers who are most at risk of occupational hearing loss include:

• Construction workers
• Industrial workers, such as miners, lumbermen, and factory workers
• Farmers and other agricultural workers
• Professional landscapers, gardeners, and yard maintenance workers
• Garbage truck drivers and waste collectors
• Paramedics, EMTs, ambulance drivers, and firefighters
• Pilots, flight crews, air traffic controllers, baggage handlers, and other airline workers
• Sports industry workers, such as athletes, announcers, and concessions workers
• Music industry professionals, including musicians, soundcheck engineers, and others
• Bouncers, bartenders, nightclub workers, and servers

Although these types of workers may face heightened risk, any worker can suffer from occupational hearing damage and loss. If you have tinnitus, hearing damage, or hearing loss related to your employment, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Get in touch with our New York City occupational hearing loss attorneys today to begin your claim.