Hearing Awareness Week is from 1st to 7th March and is an annual event highlighting the issues affecting Australians living with hearing loss.
In Australia, 3.5 million people aged 15 and over have a mild to severe hearing loss. That represents 22% of the Australian population, or 1 in every 6 Australians. Hearing Awareness Week is an important part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about hearing health. The Australian Government Department of Health website provides the following statistics:
- 1 in 6 Australians experience some form of hearing loss.
- For 1 in 3 Australians with hearing loss, it could have been prevented.
- Only 1 in 5 Australians who would benefit from a hearing aid use one.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Noise in the workplace and recreational noise are the most common source of noise injury and, according to the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgeons (ASOHNS), the most of form of preventable hearing loss in the western world.
Noise induced hearing loss is an entirely preventable yet irreversible disease affecting approximately 4,700 people each year and accounts for 11% of all occupational disease claims [1].
There are two main types of deafness from workplace exposure:
- Noise induced hearing loss which occurs gradually over a period of extended exposure to noise.
- Noise or acoustic trauma if a person is exposed to intense or explosive noise.
Noise induced hearing loss is also one of the most common workplace injuries and accounts for a large proportion of all occupational disease workers compensation claims.
Can I make a claim for workplace caused deafness including noise induced hearing loss?
A claim for workplace caused hearing loss can be made in South Australia under the workers compensation legislation, the Return to Work Act 2014. Entitlements that can be claimed include:
- Medical expenses, including payment of hearing aids, batteries and fitting and assessment fees.
- Lump sum compensation for an 8.8% or more impairment.
Turner Freeman works closely with hearing aid providers and others with an interest in hearing health. Our firm has particular interest in workers compensation claims for noise induced hearing loss and has successfully acted for many hundreds of workers in securing entitlements.
Contact Turner Freeman today for a free first no obligation consultation.
