Deaf Awareness Week 5th-11th May 2025 - Oakwood Solicitors Ltd

Home » News & Knowledge » Noise-induced hearing loss and workplace claims – Deaf Awareness Week (5th-11th May)

Deaf Awareness Week 2025 in the UK is centred around the theme ‘Beyond Silence,’ which promotes understanding of the diverse communication methods used by deaf individuals.

It calls for improved accessibility, greater inclusivity, and equal opportunities.

Deaf Awareness Week

One related issue is noise-induced hearing loss, with workplace injuries being a significant external cause. Raising awareness encourages individuals, organisations, and communities to take proactive measures including supporting equal access to education, improving employment accessibility, and expanding British Sign Language (BSL) education.

What is industrial deafness?

Industrial deafness, also known as Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), is a hearing impairment caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise, often resulting from years of unprotected work in manufacturing and heavy industry sectors such as steelworks, construction sites, highway maintenance, and factory work.

Therefore, companies are required take precautions to protect employees from occupational deafness if workplace noise levels consistently exceed 80 decibels (dB).

The causes of industrial deafness: How is my company liable?

Many industrial deafness victims have been involved in instances caused by the negligence of their employers; if you believe you have suffered from these incidents, your employers may be held liable.

You could potentially be able to seek compensation if you think you have been the victim of any of the following situations:

Your employer has neglected to monitor and maintain noise levels in the workplace with no precautions in place to keep you safe.
Despite being aware that the noise levels were excessive, they failed to provide ear defenders or any other form of protection.
You voiced concerns to them, but they did not evaluate the risk to your hearing.
Your employer did not consider implementing equipment that makes less noise.
Your employer did not look into noise-cancelling techniques such as soundproofing.
They did not inform you of the risks associated with prolonged exposure to loud noises or the steps that should be taken to lower the risk of hearing loss.

Consequences of workplace negligence: Noise-Induced hearing loss

Industrial deafness encompasses four main types: temporary hearing loss, permanent hearing loss, acoustic trauma, and tinnitus.

You can qualify for occupational deafness compensation if you have been exposed to high noise levels at work and are exhibiting any of the following symptoms:

Temporary or permanent lack of hearing
Difficulty hearing in one or both ears
Total lack of hearing in one or both ears
Struggling to hear people speaking over background noise
An inability to understand words or phrases when others can easily comprehend them
Need to have the TV turned up to levels that others complain are too high
Struggle to follow conversations on the phone
Hear buzzing, whistling, roaring, droning, hissing, or ringing noises regularly
Have difficulty hearing specific frequencies of sound
Think you can hear better in one ear than the other

To file a claim, you must have a medical diagnosis of industrial deafness, and your employment history will be reviewed during your appointment.

Claim compensation for industrial deafness: Free specialist review

To claim compensation for occupational deafness, you must prove your employer’s negligence in ensuring your safety at work. Factors include causation and pain level, with total hearing loss in both ears being more compensated.

A medical diagnosis, detailed report, workplace-related injury, and employer failure to provide necessary precautions or training are required.

Our solicitors will usually establish whether an employer is likely to have breached their duty of care fairly quickly by referring to applicable legislation such as The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

Frequently asked questions

What evidence should I provide to support a claim?

If you are to make a successful claim, you will need to provide some evidence to support your allegations. This can include:

Audiological reports
Medical records
Employment history
Evidence of noise levels
Witness statements
Expert witnesses
Health and Safety records
Training records
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) records
Compliance reports
Diaries or personal documents in which you may have mentioned the loud surroundings
Correspondence, emails, or reports of concern

Our solicitors specialise in workplace injury claims, ensuring evidence is collected to support your case and gather information to prove your hearing damage.

How much compensation would I receive for industrial deafness and hearing loss?

Industrial deafness claims can be divided into general damages and special damages, covering suffering and financial losses. An independent medical assessment is necessary to determine hearing loss.

The Judicial College’s rules determine general damages compensation. Compensation amounts can be determined using figures:

£110,750 to £133,810 compensation for total deafness.
£38,210 to £55,570 compensation for complete hearing loss in one ear.
£36,260 to £55,570 compensation for severe Tinnitus and hearing loss.
£18,180 to £36,260 compensation for moderate Tinnitus and hearing loss.
£15,370 to £18,180 compensation for mild Tinnitus and some hearing loss.
In the region of £14,300 in compensation for mild Tinnitus only, or mild hearing loss only.
£8,890 to £15,370 compensation for slight Tinnitus and slight hearing loss.
Up to £8,560 compensation for slight hearing loss only, or slight Tinnitus only.

We believe that setting up a free consultation with our advisers is the most effective way to learn how much compensation you might be eligible for.

What are the time limits for claiming industrial deafness compensation?

Work-related injuries have a three-year deadline for filing a claim, typically from the date of discovering the hearing loss was caused by the job or the date the hearing loss should have been diagnosed.

To increase the chances of a successful claim, it is advisable to consult with experienced personal injury lawyers if you believe you may be entitled to compensation.

Is there a difference between claiming against my employer or a previous employer?

If you are no longer employed by the company responsible for your hearing loss, you can still file an industrial deafness claim against them. Start early to increase your chances of receiving compensation. If you still work for the employer in question, your claim will not negatively impact your employment.

Noise-induced hearing loss and workplace claims – Deaf Awareness Week (5th-11th May)