If you work in a loud environment, you might notice changes in your hearing over time. Conversations can sound muffled or you may experience ringing in your ears after a shift. This blog discusses whether these types of changes qualify for workers’ compensation and what benefits you can receive.
How workplace hearing damage occurs
Work-related hearing loss usually develops in one of two ways:
- The first involves gradual damage from repeated exposure to loud noise over months or years. Workers in manufacturing plants, construction sites and transportation industries often experience this slow decline as constant noise wears down the delicate structures of the inner ear.
- The second involves acute trauma from a single event. An explosion can cause immediate and severe hearing damage. Documenting this type of injury is distinct in practice as it is tied to a specific incident report, whereas gradual hearing loss requires showing a connection to the job over time.
Hearing damage is not only caused by noise. Certain workplace chemicals called ototoxic substances can also harm hearing. Solvents, heavy metals and some industrial compounds may damage the auditory system, especially when exposure occurs alongside loud noise.
What benefits may be available
Per Florida law, you might qualify for the following types of coverage:
- Medical benefits: This pays for all approved care related to your hearing loss. They cover testing, hearing aids, ongoing maintenance and specialist visits.
- Temporary total disability: This pays about 66 ⅔% of your average weekly wage if your condition prevents you from working while you recover. They last up to 104 weeks or up to 260 weeks if you have not reached maximum medical improvement.
- Temporary partial disability: This covers part of the gap between your pre-injury wages and what you earn now if you can still work in a limited way. The state calculates this by taking 80% of the difference between 80% of your Average Weekly Wage (AWW) and your current earnings.
In addition, workers with permanent hearing damage may qualify for impairment benefits based on the severity. They can also receive reemployment services if the condition prevents them from returning to their prior job.
How to pursue a claim
The claims process begins by notifying your employer about your hearing condition. Deadlines depend on the type of damage: you must report acute trauma within 30 days, while occupational diseases such as gradual hearing loss usually allow up to 90 days from when you discover the issue or become disabled. The timeline generally starts when an audiologist diagnoses your condition or when a doctor confirms it is related to your job.
After notification, your employer must report the injury to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier within 7 days. If the insurer approves your claim, it should begin paying benefits within 21 days after your employer receives notice of your injury. Disputes over coverage, the extent of your injury or the benefits owed can be addressed through Florida’s Employee Assistance Office (EAO) or by filing a petition with the Office of Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC).
If there is any part of the claim process that is unclear, enlisting a seasoned attorney may be beneficial. Not only do they guide you through the filing of your workers’ comp claim, but they also communicate with insurers on your behalf and review any documents you have to strengthen your case.