Hearing Loss is Currently the Most Common Work Injury in America

There are many ways that a worker can be injured on the job. Some are immediate. Others, such as hearing loss, are gradual. Yet this does not mean the injury has any less of an impact on a person’s life, nor does it mean that the worker is any less entitled to compensation. Unfortunately, not all workers immediately associate their hearing loss injury with work. This may be due, in part, to the lack of understanding about how and when hearing loss injuries occur. If you or someone you love has suffered hearing loss, the following information may be able to help.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that as many as 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels each year. With an estimated $242 million spent on compensation claims, it is also the most common on-the-job injury in America. So why is it not receiving any kind of real attention, and why is there not better prevention? There are many theories, both from critics, and from the Labor Department, but no real answers just yet. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is planning to take a closer look to determine the exact cause.

Earlier this year, the Labor Department launched a challenge called “Hear and Now.” They are using it to solicit pitches for innovative ideas and technology that may help to improve safety in noisy work conditions. They want to ensure workers are notified of the risk, and that they have better protection available to them on the job. Critics say this may help, but that it is not really the problem.

According to critics, the real issue with hearing loss on the job is that noise exposure regulations are outdated. Set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, these govern when employers must provide sound-protection to their employers. Yet they supposedly fail to take into account the other exposures that an employee may deal with in a day, such as noise exposure at a sporting event. This could potentially add to the cumulative harm risk, even for workers who have moderately noise levels on the job. This is fairly supported by a study that found hearing loss is actually more common for employees with moderate noise levels on the job than it is for those that have high noise levels.

If you or someone you love has suffered a hearing loss and you suspect that noise exposure on the job may be responsible, our San Jose work injury lawyers can help you pursue a claim. Dedicated and experienced, we will fight for the maximum compensation possible for your loss. Call (408) 289-1417 and schedule a consultation with Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, L.L.P today.

• Most common workplace injury: Hearing loss