Ageing and noise exposure are the two major causes of hearing loss

Home » News & Knowledge » Ageing and noise exposure are the two major causes of hearing loss, study finds

Over 40 per cent of adults over the age of 50 in the UK suffer from hearing loss – with age-related damage (presbycusis) being the main cause.

Studies show that age-related hearing usually affects both ears and worsens over time.

Age-related hearing loss happens due to the gradual wear and tear of tiny sensory cells called hair cells in the inner ear. Hair cells take in information about sound from the environment and convert that information into a format that the brain can understand.

Ageing and noise exposure

Hair cells are constantly working – even when you’re asleep. But over time, they break down and stop working so effectively. Hair cells cannot be regenerated, so this means that if they are damaged they cannot be replaced, resulting in hearing loss.

Age-related hearing usually begins with the loss of high-frequency or high-pitched sounds. According to studies, this makes some voices harder to hear, and some sounds such as ‘s’, ‘f’, and ‘th’ harder to pick up. People can also find it harder to hear when there is a lot of background noise.

As the hearing loss progresses, people may struggle to hear lower-pitched sounds and may struggle to hear someone talking, even in a quiet environment.

Noise-induced hearing loss – how is it caused?

Noise-induced hearing loss is caused when you are exposed to a loud noise every day or to one excessive burst of noise. This could include listening to music that is too loud, being exposed to a very loud noise such as a gunshot, or working in a noisy environment – such as a construction site or operating noisy machinery.

Noise-induced hearing loss can develop instantly after being exposed or it might develop gradually – and take years to show up. Quite often, people will experience symptoms such as tinnitus in their ears before noticing the hearing loss.

However, some hearing loss may have been avoidable if the exposure to loud sounds were experienced at work, without suitable protection. In these cases, you might be able to make a claim for compensation.

When can I make a claim?

Employers have a duty of care to protect you from exposure to noise. If you’ve worked in noisy environments and suffer from hearing loss, your employers (present and past) could be liable for compensation.

Exposure to noise at work is commonplace, especially among manufacturing and heavy industry sectors. Without the proper use of hearing protection, prolonged exposure to noise at work can result in NIHL and tinnitus (a buzzing or ringing sensation in your ears).

How long do I have to make a claim?

In most cases, you will have three years from the date of knowledge to submit a claim. This means that even if your hearing loss was caused by your place of work a decade ago, you will have three years from when you first became aware of your injury, or the date you established that the negligence of a third party caused your injury to submit a claim.

What evidence do I need to provide?

When submitting a claim, you will need to prove there was negligence from your employer which caused you to develop the hearing loss. This may include failing to provide you with protective ear equipment in a loud work environment.

To prove your claim, you may be asked to provide some evidence including the following:

Medical Evidence – Official reports from a medical professional to show you are experiencing hearing loss.
Witness Contact Details – Contact details of other workers who witnesses the incidents where your hearing was damaged. A solicitor may ask them to provide a statement.
Inadequate ear protection – You may be asked to provide the equipment you were provided with while you worked with the employer as it may have been defective or unsuitable.

What can I claim?

You could win compensation if your claim is successful in the form of general and special damages. Your compensation will be awarded based on the severity of your symptoms and hearing loss.

According to the Judicial College Guidelines, in the most severe cases, you could win more than £100,000:

Total Deafness & Speech Loss – £109,650 to £140,660

When deafness arises at an early age and will impact the development of speech

Total Deafness – £90,750 to £109,650

Total loss of hearing. Whether there is a speech deficit or tinnitus will affect how much is awarded.

Total Loss Of Hearing In One Ear – £31,310 to £45,540

Consideration given to presence of side effects such as dizziness or tinnitus.

Partial Hearing Loss & Tinnitus – £29,710 to £45,540

Severe noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus

Partial Hearing Loss & Tinnitus – £14,900 to £29,710

Moderate NIHL and tinnitus, or severe tinnitus or NIHL alone

Partial Hearing Loss & Tinnitus – £12,590 to £14,900

Mild NIHL and some tinnitus

Partial Hearing Loss & Tinnitus – Around £11,720

Mild NIHL or slight tinnitus alone

Partial Hearing Loss & Tinnitus – £7,360 to £12,590

Slight/occasional tinnitus with some NIHL

Partial Hearing Loss & Tinnitus – Up to £7,010

Slight NIHL without tinnitus or vice versa

Military Deafness Claims

If you have suffered from hearing loss as a result of time spent in the military, you may also be able to claim compensation. For more information on Military Deafness claims, click here.

Why use a solicitor to submit my claim?

The team at Oakwood Solicitors will ensure you put your best case forward and maximise your chance of success. The Industrial Disease team will handle your claim and keep you up to date every step of the way.

Oakwood Solicitors works on a ‘No-Win, No-Fee’ basis, so you will not pay any fees unless your claim is successful.

Ageing and noise exposure are the two major causes of hearing loss, study finds