OP Law - Industrial Deafness Solicitors London

Hearing may deteriorate or be permanently damaged from prolonged exposure to high levels of noise over a long period of time. We usually refer to this kind of injury as noise induced hearing loss or industrial deafness. Generally, damage to hearing occurs from prolonged exposure to noise levels in excess of 85dB.

In addition to deafness, a person's hearing may be affected by tinnitus; this is noise in the ear such as a high pitched whining, buzzing, and hissing sounds. Tinnitus may also be caused by an excessively noisy environment.

Hearing damage from prolonged noise exposure is usually permanent and may be suffered at different frequencies which mean that hearing loss cannot be overcome merely by turning up the volume of a TV or radio. Sometimes speech may become distorted to a listener who may be unable to make out what is being said especially if there is background noise such as in a pub or bar.

Many people in Britain often learn their hearing has been affected in someway by exposure to noise at some time in their working lives. A simple audiogram can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine the diagnosis of noise deafness. A medical and working history is also important as are hobbies.