When most people think about job-related disabilities, they think about things that produce physical abnormalities, such as amputations, or things like brain injuries. Many individuals won’t think about something like hearing loss.
The loss of hearing is something that can be debilitating, even if you aren’t fully deaf. Because of this, it can sometimes lead to you being unable to work. This can lead to a disability claim.
What level of noise is dangerous to your hearing?
A normal conversation is 60 decibels. Any noises that are at or above 100 decibels that last 15 minutes or longer can cause hearing loss that’s permanent. While many workers are subjected to noises that meet that level, these are commonly associated with hearing loss:
- Flight crew
- Farmworkers
- Physical education teachers
- Factory workers
- Dental professionals
- Athletes
- Musicians
- Bartenders and club workers
- Construction workers
- Motorcycling couriers
One reason why hearing loss at work is so troubling is that it often occurs slowly. You may not notice at first. Eventually, you might realize that you have to turn the television or radio up higher than normal and people might comment that you’re shouting at them.
What should you do if you think you have hearing loss and it affects your ability to work?
If you think that you’ve suffered a hearing loss that is affecting your ability to do your job, you should have an evaluation done on your auditory system. If it’s found that you have major hearing loss and it’s preventing you from safely doing your job, you may need to explore disability benefits.
Getting disability for hearing loss is sometimes a complex undertaking. Working closely with someone familiar with this situation may be beneficial since you can find out your options at each step.