Did you know that hearing loss is currently the “third most common chronic physical condition” in the United States? That fact comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which emphasizes that hearing loss is a bigger problem than diabetes, vision loss, and even cancer, and that it is “among the most common work-related illnesses.” About 11% of the current working population in the country has some form of hearing loss, and nearly one-quarter of all of those people developed hearing loss as a result of exposure in the workplace.

As an experienced Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer, I know how important it is to obtain the compensation you need when an injury or illness prevents you from working. If your injury or illness happened at your job due to a traumatic event or exposure to something dangerous on the job, I can help you obtain the workers’ comp benefits you deserve.

Employees With Hearing Loss May be Eligible for Columbus Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Ohio is a state that allows injured workers to obtain compensation for hearing loss caused by exposure in the workplace. To be clear, many states do not permit compensation for hearing loss, and as a result, a large number of employees are left without any kind of compensation. However, in Ohio, hearing loss claims may result from a traumatic event or repeated exposure to loud noises. Under Ohio law (ORC 4123.01(F)), repeated work-related exposure to extreme noises can cause illnesses or injuries that may be compensable under the workers’ compensation system.

To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for hearing loss, an employee will need to have a medical diagnosis that makes clear the injury resulted from a traumatic event or a dangerous exposure. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) clarifies that exposure to extreme noises is one type of exposure that can lead to a successful workers’ compensation claim.

It is important to note, however, that “mere exposure” to something that can cause harm, such as an extreme noise, is not enough to receive benefits if the employee has not suffered an actual injury. 

Understanding Hearing Loss in the Workplace

The Hearing Health Foundation provides important facts and figures about hearing loss in the workplace. Here are some of those statistics:

• Workers should not be exposed to noises at levels of more than 85 decibels over a period of eight continuous hours without risking hearing loss;
• As many as 30 million workers in the U.S. are exposed to extreme noises that are capable of causing hearing loss;
• More than 20,000 cases of workplace hearing loss occur every year;
• Nearly half of all people who suffer from work-related hearing loss are no longer employed; and
• Hearing loss may decrease a person’s earning capacity by up to $30,000 per year.

Contact Me to Get Help with Your Hearing Loss Claim

Did you suffer hearing loss at work? You should not have to suffer the consequences without being compensated. I’ll Make Them Pay!® You can get in touch with me by phone today at 877.614.9524 to learn more about filing a workers’ compensation claim in Ohio for hearing loss on the job.