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Workplace Hearing Loss Cuts Productivity

On Behalf of | Oct 25, 2018 | Vision And Hearing Loss |

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You may be surprised to find out that, according to Forbes, around 37.5 million Americans over the age of 18 suffer from hearing loss. These hearing loss issues can greatly affect employee happiness and productivity.

But what are your options when your hearing loss problems occur because of work-related issues?

Many people work in industries that require them to be around loud noises. Think about the types of workers who can experience them on a daily basis: construction workers, fire and EMS personnel, club employees, concert engineers, and many more. Workers in many industries experience long periods of exposure to loud noises.

What are your options when it comes to reporting work-related hearing loss?

When you need an experienced San Diego vision and hearing loss attorney, you can count on Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP to be by your side, working to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

How It Happens

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says that workers should not be exposed to more than 85 decibels (measures of how loud something is) for more than eight continuous hours. They say that as many as 30 million US workers are exposed to noise levels that can cause irreversible hearing loss.

In fact, an estimated 24 percent of hearing loss in the United States has been attributed to workplace exposure.

How does hearing loss affect people?

  • Individuals who have hearing loss face difficulties in employment transition and promotion.
  • Hearing loss can decrease a person’s annual income by as much as $30,000.
  • Some of the jobs most at risk of worker hearing loss are: mining, lumber manufacturing, repair and maintenance, motor vehicle operations, and construction work.

We also now know that many jobs expose people to chemicals that are harmful to the ear and cause hearing loss. These chemicals are called ototoxins and affect as many as 30 million workers.

Employers must understand the risks their employees face when it comes to hearing loss and work to prevent them. They should ensure that all workers have the appropriate safety gear. In jobs that have a high risk of hearing loss, regular hearing screenings can detect early damage.

Unfortunately, there are times when workers compensation does not cover hearing loss, claiming that factors outside of work caused the deficit.

What You Can Do

Work-related hearing loss can be more difficult to prove than other types of work injuries. Why? Because, so many natural processes also cause hearing loss. It is vital that you secure a legal team who understands the ins and outs of the medical and scientific issues related to hearing loss. At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, you can be sure you are in good hands.

Just because something is hard to prove does not mean it did not happen. We know how devastating work injuries can be to your ability to work and lead a productive life. When you need a compassionate and experienced San Diego vision and hearing loss attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling our office.

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