The long-term use of hearing devices, such as headphones, in the work place is putting an increasing number of workers at risk of noise induced hearing loss. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), industrial hearing loss now accounts for 75% of occupational disease claims.
Traditionally, incidents of hearing loss were prevalent in construction and manufacturing jobs. However, with the number of call centres across the country on the rise, there is now more need to assess the risk to workers in these locations.
An article by CallCentreHelper has stated that a quarter of the UK’s workforce uses headphones whilst at work. This is putting them at a higher risk of noise induced hearing loss. There are a number of reasons for this increase, including more workers listening to music through personal earphones to block out background noise at work, and wearing headsets to take calls to leave your hands free.
European regulations state that workers should not be exposed to average noise levels of 85dB or above over an eight hour period. Lengthy exposure to such noise levels (or even short exposure to very loud noise levels) can trigger the onset of hearing loss and tinnitus.
If you are an employer, you are legally required to protect your staff from the risk of noise induced hearing loss through protective measures and practices in the workplace.
Although signs vary with each individual, the indications of tinnitus and hearing loss include ringing, buzzing, humming and whistling sounds in the ears. Hearing loss may have such additional symptoms as ear pain and the leaking of pus or fluid from the ear. As an employee of an organisation, your employer has a legal obligation to protect you under “noise at work” regulations.
Tinnitus And Hearing Loss Claims
If you have noticed changes in your levels of hearing or are experiencing symptoms of tinnitus, and if you believe it was caused in the work place, contact Nelsons to discuss whether you could make a personal injury claim for compensation.
If you have been injured at work and would like to discuss your compensation claim, please contact our expert Personal Injury team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.