How Much Hearing Loss Is Considered Disabled for Workers’ Compensation?

If you’re one of the 17% of Americans with irreversible hearing loss, you already know it can affect your everyday life.

Significant hearing impairment may complicate communication, compromise your safety, and negatively impact your social life.

But if your hearing loss occurred while you were performing your job, it can feel even more disheartening. Your employer likely owes you workers’ compensation to make up for the financial losses your hearing impairment has caused. But what if your hearing loss has resulted in a partial or total disability?

In this post, an experienced hearing loss lawyer in New Orleans explains how much hearing loss is considered disabled for workers’ compensation purposes and what that means for your claim.

Levels of Hearing Loss Disability in Workers’ Compensation

The severity of the hearing loss you experience after a work-related accident or due to prolonged noise exposure at work affects your workers’ compensation benefits.

Through a typical workers’ compensation claim, you can secure funds to cover your lost wages and medical bills during your recovery. But because hearing loss tends to be a long-term or permanent ailment, your injury may classify as a disability, potentially qualifying you for long-term workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation law recognizes a few different levels of hearing loss disability. If you meet the criteria of any of these definitions, you may qualify for longer-term workers’ compensation benefits. So how much hearing loss is considered disabled, according to workers’ compensation law?

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

Under workers’ compensation law, temporary total disability (TTD) occurs when you are completely unable to work temporarily after a work-related accident. If your hearing loss is temporary, you may qualify for TTD benefits worth two-thirds of your average weekly wages during your period of recovery.

If your hearing loss is only minor, you may instead qualify for supplemental earnings benefits (SEB). The workers’ compensation board may require you to complete light-duty work or modified work while you recover.

Of course, many forms of hearing loss are not temporary. But you may have a temporary form of hearing loss called acoustic trauma after a work-related incident.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

If you have reached your maximum medical improvement and your hearing loss still meets any of the following criteria, you could qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits:

Audiometric testing: In your better ear, your hearing threshold sensitivity averages 90 decibels (dB) or less for air conduction and 60 dB or less for bone conduction.
Word recognition testing: You can repeat only 40% or less of a list of standardized spoken words in a word recognition test.
Cochlear implants: You have cochlear implants in one or both ears, whether or not your hearing has improved.
Hearing in Noise Test: You score 60% or less on a Hearing in Noise Test (HINT).

These are all standardized means of classifying hearing loss as a disability.

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

Hearing loss typically does not qualify as a permanent total disability (PTD) under workers’ compensation laws. Permanent total disability encompasses workplace injuries that are so severe that you are completely unable to work for the rest of your life. However, if you experienced hearing loss along with another, more severe injury, you could qualify for this type of compensation.

PTD provides you with two-thirds of your weekly salary indefinitely.

Need Help Seeking Compensation for Hearing Loss?

Now that you know how much hearing loss is considered disabled, you may be interested in pursuing workers’ compensation for your injury. The Voorhies Law Firm can help.

We will guide you through the workers’ compensation process and help you gain maximum compensation to make up for this devastating event. We will also explain how the different types of disability under workers’ compensation may impact your benefits.Whether an accident damaged your hearing or you suffered industrial hearing loss, call today at 504-313-3086 to speak with a knowledgeable hearing loss attorney in New Orleans.

What Our Customers Are Saying...

"BEST law firm in downtown of New Orleans. They handled my personal injury claim and did a fantastic job!! Kudos to Jennifer Rust, one of their attorneys there who helped me out so much!! I highly recommend this law firm if you are looking for a law..."

Linda F.
"I only had a consultation, but they were extremely helpful. He provided me with some steps I could do on my own prior to hiring an attorney, and provided a realistic expectation of what to expect if I chose to pursue litigation."

Baily J.
"Having first tried one of the major firms you see on billboards and TV after my accident, I quickly got the feeling as if I became just a number. It seemed like compensating themselves was a higher priority than my wellbeing after my accident. I..."

Reyna M.
"I was involved in a serious injury crash almost four years ago. I called the Voorhies Law Firm. Ms Jennifer Rust returned my call the same day and scheduled a meeting. The Voorhies Law Firm is definitely second to none and a " cut above". Ms. Rust..."

Ritchie S.
"They did an "excellent" job representing my elderly father. Client- Focused, Competent, Consistent and Relentless! I would highly recommend!"

R Jack