New noise level guidelines come too late for many sufferers

[EARLIER IN 2022 new guidelines were adopted by the Association of British Insurers and the Industrial Disease Claims Working Party for diagnosing and quantifying noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) caused by the working environment.

One of the leading claims firms in the area explained: “Previously, a claimant had to prove that they had lifetime noise exposure level of at least 100dB. To reach this, a person would have to have worked in noise levels of 90dB for around 10 years. Now, for example, a person would only have to work in noise levels of 90dB for one year.

“Previously, anything under 85dB Lep,d was disregarded, as it was seen to be too low to cause any noise damage. The new guidelines recommend removing the lower action level, thus leaving all noise exposure as having the potential to contribute to a person’s hearing loss.”

The new guidelines were produced following a study by Professor Brian C J Moore, Mr David A Lowe and Mr Graham Cox to diagnose and quantify noise-induced hearing loss – the so-called MLC guidelines. The guidelines suggest substantial amendments to the existing guidance.

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) says: “Exposure to loud noise is the second biggest cause of hearing loss. You might not notice the effects of noise-induced hearing loss until years after you were first exposed to loud noise.”

The RNID identifies the cause of noise-induced hearing loss as being around very loud noises for a long time. That could include: • Being in a noisy workplace • Listening to loud music • Loud bursts of sound, like gunshot or explosions.

“If you have hearing loss caused by exposure to noise,” the RNID says, “you will experience a dip in your hearing in the high frequencies. This means you won’t be able to hear highpitched sounds as well as sounds at lower pitches. If the noise exposure carries on, this dip will spread and affect both lower and high frequencies.”

Some people experience tinnitus as the first sign that their hearing has been damaged by noise. Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a ‘ringing’ or similar sound which has no external cause for the noise. It can be as little as a distraction or as serious as a debilitating illness.

In some cases NIHL can be caused by noise in the workplace. In those cases there may be a case for seeking compensation for an industrial injury. The construction industry is an example. Ironically, steps taken to avert other injuries, such as the warning sirens of reversing vehicles, may exacerbate the problem.

A British company, Brigade Electronics, is actively developing multifrequency warning signs for vehicles that lower the decibel count and so help to reduce exposure to damaging levels.

For many, though, the damage is done way before the effects become apparent and is irreversible. q