Did you know that hearing loss sometimes has nothing to do with age? Did you know that if you are suffering from hearing loss, and you aren’t over the age of 65, then it may be due to the noise happening at your job?
If you answered no to either of these questions then you need to read on. Hearing loss is a natural issue that humans deal with as we age. It is an impairment to a person’s ability to hear normally. It can be very mild or reach the worst level possible with complete deafness. Hearing loss is often a gradual process, it is still difficult for people to realize they have a problem for years. The average length of time from onset symptoms to diagnosis is seven years. It is family members or friends who actually first notice the hearing impairment before the victim. It starts to be more pronounced when patients have a hard time understanding conversations on the phone, hearing high-pitched noises, and comprehending speech in a loud room.
However, most hearing loss happens between the ages of 65-74. It starts with being unable to hear certain frequencies. When we are young we are able to hear a vast array of noises. This is why it is important to wear protective hearing gear when you go to loud concerts. Our ears can only sustain listening to loud noises for so long. However, as we age our hearing starts to naturally deteriorate. If your hearing is declining then it is important that you discuss with your employer and doctor the consideration the this is resulting in a workplace injury.
Some workers experience hearing loss over an extended period of time. Employees on construction sites, working in an industrial facility or manufacturing plant are surrounded by heavy machinery noises on a daily basis. Exposure to such high levels of noise from engines or equipment can cause temporary or permanent loss of hearing. Even if this hearing loss happens over time, it is still considered a workplace injury. You also want to consider the alternative of experiencing ear trauma from one single incident at work. Explosions, sudden changes in pressure or a collision involving the head are all isolated events that still result in short-term injury to the ear. In both situations, medical costs are covered by workers’ compensation in California.
Ear injuries are not only associated with an injury at the workplace but are rather far more complicated than initial evaluation. The ear and all of its intricate parts can be damaged in more than one way. Each injury requires different treatment compared to the others. The types of ear injuries are blood clots in the outer ear, damage to the eardrum, dislocation of the ossicles, damage to the inner ear, frostbite, tinnitus, fluid or blood in the middle ear, or cauliflower ear.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health states that employers are not allowed to expose their workers to a noise level that is more than 85 decibels over an 8 hour period. The NIOSH also claims that around 30 million U.S workers are exposed to noise levels that are higher and for long periods of time. This means that 30 million workers are in positions that put them at risk for hearing loss. Here are some symptoms of hearing loss (this is not an exhaustive list):
If any of these symptoms are familiar to you then you may need to consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you work in a job where that is constantly noisy then you may need to file a worker’s compensation claim. Trust us when we say that you are not alone. There are over 20,000 claims placed every year. You are not alone if you are experiencing hearing loss in your workplace.
Covering the cost of a hearing aid due to a workplace injury can get a little complex. Injuries to the ear could result in either short or long-term hearing loss. Hearing aids are typically required for those employees suffering from hearing loss in order to complete their job. Be wary of insurance companies that try to attribute part of the cost of hearing aids to age, even if you suffered ear injuries in the workplace. An insurance company will analyze the medical records of the injured employee, so you need to be prepared for an investigation into any hearing loss prior to the workplace accident or injury. Some states allow for workers’ compensation to cover the cost of hearing aids. It can be intimidating dealing with workers’ compensation but you don’t have to go through it alone.
This is the time for you to reach out for legal assistance. Our team at JML Law will provide you with the most respected and successful Los Angeles hearing loss attorney to fight for you.
If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss as a result of an injury in the workplace then you need to discuss your situation with our Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorneys at JML Law, A Professional Law Corporation. Our highly professional and hard-working hearing loss attorneys fight for fair settlements and compensation for any losses incurred from your hearing loss. We believe in providing a free consultation so that you can discuss with us safely and securely your work injury. We also don’t believe in getting paid until you win. We do this because we want our clients to know that we are working for them 100%. Call 818-610-8800 or click here to have us start on your case today.
Every case is unique and needs to be evaluated by our experienced lawyers. If you have been injured in a work-related accident.