Workplace Hearing Loss – A Common Danger
By: Ricky L. Boren
Thirty million U.S. workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels. It is a significant health problem for carpenters, miners, plumbers, factory workers, construction workers and workers exposed to aircraft, sirens or explosives. Noise induced hearing loss is 100% preventable but once it happens it is permanent and irreversible.
Excessive noise and long term exposure to even moderate noise can destroy the ability to hear and may also put stress on other parts of the body, including the heart. Hearing loss affects job performance, the loss of ordinary enjoyment of life and impairs speech.
If you have worked around loud noises, you may have job-related hearing loss if you are having problems with:
• understanding conversations in noisy environments,
• understanding dialogue in movies,
• understanding children,
In some cases, your hearing loss may be covered by workers compensation. Depending on your situation, you may also be covered by certain health and safety laws such as The 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, the January 2005 Supplement to the Longshore & Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, and the 1908 Federal Employers Liability Act.
The Hill Boren law firm is experienced in helping workers with occupational hearing loss. If you have any questions please call us.