Understanding Work-Related Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Rights and Protections for Employees

While any worker can experience hearing loss, some job sites are noisier than others. This means employees in certain industries are more vulnerable to work-related noise-induced hearing loss.

Hearing impairment can interfere with your physical safety, mental health, interpersonal relationships, and career options.

If high noise levels at work damage your hearing, you may qualify for financial compensation for your injuries. In this post, the experienced hearing loss lawyers in New Orleans at The Voorhies Law Firm discuss your rights regarding work-related noise-induced hearing loss. 

Work-Related Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Louisiana

Employers are responsible for ensuring workplace safety and taking steps to protect their employees from occupational illnesses and injuries. This includes damage caused by harmful noise levels. Unfortunately, many Louisiana workers face hazardous noise exposures and not all employers provide adequate hearing protection.

Noise-induced hearing loss may cause you to experience higher medical costs, lost wages, and even the inability to work in your current profession — or at all. A personal injury attorney can guide you through your options for compensation, including workers’ comp benefits and other legal claims.

What Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

Loud noises can damage the sensitive structures of the inner ear. When this happens, it may cause temporary or permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Auditory damage can come from a single event, like an explosion or gunshot, or from sustained exposure to loud noises, such as working on a factory floor or at an industrial site. 

How loud is too loud? Extended or repeated exposure to noises at or above 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) may cause hearing loss. For comparison, concerts and sporting events can produce 94 to 110 dBA, sirens often range from 110 to 129 dBA, and a fireworks show can reach 140 to 160 dBA.

Loud sounds expose employees in many fields to work-related noise-induced hearing loss. Vulnerable professions include the following:

• Firefighters
• Police officers
• Mining workers
• Airplane crews
• Nightclub staff
• Farm workers
• Dental technicians
• Construction crews
• Manufacturing workers

What Are the Symptoms of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

If a single extremely loud noise causes your hearing loss, you are likely to notice it immediately. However, work-related noise-induced hearing loss is often gradual.

You may realize you are having a harder time hearing the television at home or understanding conversations in noisy environments. You may often ask people with quieter voices to repeat themselves. You may even start speaking more loudly yourself.

Other signs of noise-induced hearing loss include ear pain, a ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus), or a double-hearing effect (diplacusis). If you notice any of these symptoms, seek prompt medical attention to detect impairment as early as possible and prevent further damage.

What Rights Do I Have After Suffering Work-Related Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?

When harmful noise levels on the job damage your hearing, you may qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim. Fortunately, workers’ comp is a no-fault system, which means you do not need to prove employer liability to receive compensation.

However, you do need to prove that the hearing loss was work-related. For example, if your leisure activities damaged your hearing, your employer would not have to pay. Furthermore, if listening to loud music on your headphones at work caused your hearing loss, you would likely not qualify for a workers’ comp claim.  

Unfortunately, it is not always easy to receive full workers’ compensation benefits. Your employer may deny your claim or pay you less than you legally qualify for.  A work injury attorney can help you understand your rights and maximize the value of your hearing loss claim.

Contact a New Orleans Attorney About Your Hearing Loss Claim

If you perform one of the many jobs that cause hearing loss in Louisiana, you may have suffered work-related noise-induced hearing loss. The experienced hearing loss lawyers at The Voorhies Law Firm can help you evaluate your legal options for compensation. Contact us today (504) 313-3083 to schedule a free consultation.