What jobs cause hearing loss?
Princeton, FL—Employees who are constantly required to work around loud noises may develop hearing loss as a result. Some of the jobs that carry a high risk for hearing loss are those in the following industries1:
- Construction
- Farming
- Music
- Military
- Airline ground maintenance
Employees who are at a high risk for hearing loss should be taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves to prevent from suffering a hearing disorder or worse, deafness. Some of the ways employees can prevent hearing loss include2:
- Take breaks. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that workers walk away from the source that is producing the sound every now and then if they want to reduce their risk of developing a hearing issue.
- Wear the proper protection. Earplugs or earmuffs can help employees who work around loud noises protect their hearing. According to audiologist Sharon Sandridge, Ph.D., cotton should be avoided as it is “ineffective and can get stuck in [a person’s] ears.”
- Meet with an audiologist. An audiologist is someone who can “identify, assess, and manage disorders of hearing, balance, and other neural systems.”3 They can determine what a person’s risk level is if they are required to work around loud noises regularly and what steps they can take to protect their hearing capabilities.
What are some signs of hearing loss?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says if someone begins to notice these signs, they may have a hearing loss:
- They hear ringing in their ears.
- They constantly have to ask people to speak louder or repeat what they said.
- Conversations and sounds are muffled to them.
- They have a hard time understanding what people are saying when in noisy places.
- They must turn up the volume on their TV or radio louder than normal.
- They have a sensitivity to certain sounds.
- They have “trouble distinguishing speech consonants.”
- They have to ask others “to speak more slowly and clearly.”
Can a worker obtain workers’ comp benefits for hearing loss?
If a worker developed a hearing loss as a result of working, they may be entitled to obtain workers’ compensation benefits that can help them afford medical treatment and even medical equipment such as hearing aids, batteries, and more. Workers in Princeton, FL who suffered a hearing loss as a result of working who are looking to open a workers’ comp claim should notify their employer within 30 days after discovering the issue.
A worker may need to enlist the help of a Princeton, FL workers’ compensation lawyer if they are unable to obtain the workers’ comp benefits they believe they are entitled to. Mario Trespalacios P.A. is a work injury law firm located in Miami that offers free consultations to injured or ill workers who need help applying for benefits or getting their workers’ comp-related problems resolved.
Mario Trespalacios P.A. can be contacted at:
9495 SW 72 Street, Suite B-275
Miami, FL 33173
Phone: 305-261-5800
Website: www.mtpalegal.com
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