HSE UPDATES NIHL STATS

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE has published the latest available figures for people with work-related hearing problems.

According to HSE, there is limited information available on work-related noise induced hearing loss. HSE’s preferred data source is the Labour Force Survey (LFS), with the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) scheme providing a further source of information. Those sources present very different estimates, the HSE concedes.

According to the LFS there were an estimated 11,000 cases of hearing problems each year caused or made worse by work over the past three years (2019/20-2021/22). That was statistically significantly lower than the figure of 21,000 for the previous three-year period (2016/17-2018/19).

The IIDB figures shown on the graph paint a different picture, but include only annual new claims and are based on a much stricter definition of ‘deafness’ in which claimants must have a substantial measured loss of hearing in both ears (greater than 50 dB). The IIDB scheme will also tend to underestimate annual incidence for other reasons, including:

• Cases arising from circumstances other than those covered by the

• terms of the prescription

• Individuals being unaware of the possible occupational origin of

• their disease

• A lack of knowledge regarding the availability of compensation

• The scheme does not include self-employed workers.

Hence, HSE says, the LFS is the preferred source to judge the overall scale of the condition. In addition, assessments of new IIDB cases in 2020 were affected by the coronavirus pandemic and may also have been affected to some extent during 2021. q