Tinnitus is a form of hearing damage that can severely affect your life. It is generally regarded as a constant or recurring ringing in the ears with no discernible trigger. There are many ways that someone gets tinnitus, and it’s very difficult to treat. One of the most common ways that it happens is through exposure to loud noises, which can be a single exposure or an exposure over a period of time.
In recent years, as people have become better informed, hearing loss claims have been surging. The key to filing a successful tinnitus claim is keeping documentation. You need to be able to prove that you had good hearing and that it has been negatively affected. You also then need to be able to prove that your hearing loss or tinnitus is due to work conditions.
As per current UK guidelines, any sound over 80 dB requires action from your employer. If sound is over 80 dB, your employer is required to either work to lower the volume or provide their employees with hearing protection. Injury claims for tinnitus are difficult to prove, but with the help of a good attorney, you can do it.
Treating the Issue
If you have tinnitus, you need to go to an audiologist first. The audiologist will be able to analyse your ears and your hearing to determine how progressed your condition is. Some tinnitus is temporary and others are not. They can be treated by a talented physician who will work to lower or even eliminate the ringing.
That treatment often includes physical therapy as well as medication. Physical therapy can sometimes help because there are many muscles and bones around the ear. The ear even has bones that help convert noises into intelligible input. If you can relax and/or strengthen the proper muscles in the face and jaw, you can sometimes reduce tinnitus.
Affording Treatment
Treatment is great, but it can come at a cost. If you are getting tinnitus treatments, you are likely spending money on medication as well as losing money due to missing work. If you are unable to work due to your hearing condition, you can file a claim for compensation. There are many jobs that require you to be able to hear at a certain level to properly execute your job, ranging from shipbuilding to working in a club.
Whatever the case may be, if you have been wronged by your employer, you could have a case. You have to be able to prove your workplace is over 80 dB routinely and your employer has not worked to lower the volume or provide you with hearing protection.
If you can prove those things as well as prove that you did not have the hearing loss prior to working there, you have a good case. You need to call a personal injury lawyer who specialises in cases of hearing loss. As stated earlier, hearing loss claims have been on the rise, but that means many attorneys have not had a lot of experience with them. Look for someone experienced.