Coping with deafness at work

When coping with deafness at work, it’s important to understand that every worker has different needs. It’s up to you to decide whether to disclose any hearing loss to your employer. If you opt to make a disclosure, you may be able to receive accommodations that can increase your productivity.

One possible accommodation is a work area adjustment. In requesting this accommodation, be prepared to explain how your current work area interferes with your productivity. You may also request and be able to receive assistive listening devices or systems, as well as hearing aid-compatible telephones.

Other possibilities include emergency notification systems designed to alert hearing-impaired workers in the event of an emergency.

Obtaining workplace hearing loss compensation

Under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws, employees who experience hearing loss as a result of their employment may be able to recover compensation for medical costs and lost income. To be eligible to recover such benefits, the worker must be able to demonstrate that they were exposed to noise in the workplace that exceeded 90 decibels. Furthermore, that exposure must have lasted for a minimum of 90 working days.

Employees are only able to recover compensation if they experience a loss of hearing in both ears. The loss of hearing doesn’t need to be the same in both ears.
In the event the employee had some pre-existing hearing loss prior to beginning their job, the employer or their insurance company may try to only pay benefits for the difference between the partial hearing loss that existed prior to employment and the hearing loss that was sustained as a result of the employee’s exposure in the workplace.

Compensation is not typically paid if the hearing loss is only temporary. The hearing loss must be permanent in order for the employee to recover benefits.

The process of determining workers’ compensation benefits for occupational hearing loss in North Carolina is extremely complex. If you have questions about your rights regarding occupational hearing loss or how to file a workers’ compensation claim, contact our attorneys at Wilder Pantazis Law Group. We have experience representing injured workers across many different industries and sectors. We can ensure your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injury.