People exposed to excessive and prolonged noise in the workplace are susceptible to industrial hearing loss. One normally assumes that only those exposed to noise caused by machinery or hand-held power tools can cause noise levels necessary to result in permanent hearing loss. There are numerous less obvious causes though of hearing damage. Truck drivers especially drivers of diesel trucks over the long term have been known to suffer substantial and permanent hearing loss. Acoustic trauma is another increasing problem among call center operators as vocal customers respond to oral feedback in the headsets which leads to sudden high level noise. Likewise, operators of heavy equipment or even common variety lawn mowers have been shown to produce enough noise when over an elongated period of time will result in hearing loss to the operators if protective equipment is not utilized.
These types of exposures lead to a gradual reduction in the ability to hear which people many times just mistake as part of the aging process. There are symptoms though that provide a good indication that the hearing loss is taking place and they include:
- Difficulty to hear speech when there is background noise
- Difficulty hearing entire conversations
- Noticing the necessity of turning up the television or radio to high levels in order to hear the same
- A ringing or buzzing or hissing in the ears or even at times a crackling noise that impairs one’s concentration or the ability to follow conversations
- A temporary or sudden lack on hearing in one or both ears
When one has a binaural (both ears) loss of hearing of 10% or more, they may
well have a compensable case under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act entitling them to significant compensation. There are time restraints though when these types of claims must be filed. Contact with an attorney to explain the intricacies of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act and hearing loss is strongly recommended.
