Especially as they get older, New Yorkers from all walks of life might experience gradual hearing loss.
Hearing loss is hard on anyone. The severity of it depends on a number of circumstances. In some cases, it can be an expensive annoyance and inconvenience. It may require a person to purchase a hearing aid.
In more serious cases, the loss of one’s hearing can interfere with a person’s ability to work and enjoy their lives.
Hearing loss happens for a number of reasons, including reasons related to one’s genetic makeup.
However, those who have worked in industry, construction or other loud environments for any length of time should not assume that their hearing loss is genetic or just a fact of getting older.
There is a reason why the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has rules and regulations which require employers to take steps to protect workers from exposure to loud noises.
Over time, exposure to loud noise damages a worker’s hearing. This is true even if the worker does not realize the noise is injuring them at the time.
They may come away from a noisy environment with little more than a headache or irritation, but inside their ears, damage is being done.
Hearing loss can even happen when a worker takes precautionary steps like wearing earplugs or taking periodic breaks away from loud noises.
A New York City worker should consider filing a claim for hearing loss
Depending on their circumstances, New York workers who are suffering hearing loss may consider filing a claim for workers’ compensation.
As we have mentioned in past blogs about hearing loss, insurance companies and employers may challenge these claims and argue that something else has caused the hearing loss.
As with other difficult claims, proving that a New Yorker is entitled to benefits for hearing loss will involve documenting the worker’s condition and explaining the cause of the hearing loss thoroughly to the right people.