Percy Hughes & Roberts Solicitors

Hearing loss affects many people especially in later years and the person is usually the last to realise as it is quite often friends and family who notice that things aren’t quite right and notice that you have a problem….

Consider the following:-

• Do your friends and family complain that you are ignoring them?
• Do you miss conversation when you are out in a busy place or where there is background noise?
• Do you have to turn the volume up on the television or radio?
• Do you have to concentrate when people are talking to make sure you can follow the conversation?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of these questions then this could be a sign that your hearing has deteriorated and investigations should be carried out to determine the cause of your hearing loss.

We experience sound all day every day in our environment. And usually these sounds are at safe levels that do not affect our hearing.  However, when we are exposed to harmful noise (above 85 decibels) sensitive structures in our inner ears can be damaged.

Everyone with age will suffer from some hearing loss but anything over and above this should be investigated as this may be caused by working in a noisy environment.  If you have worked for a number of years without adequate hearing protection then your hearing could well have suffered.

People suffering with hearing loss may also experience tinnitus to varying degrees, this can often present itself as a buzzing, hissing or ringing sound in one or both ears that may be more noticeable when a person is sitting quietly or trying to get to sleep at night.

If you are suffering with any of these problems then you could consider using a hearing aid and some tinnitus retaining therapy to help you cope more easily in your everyday life.

Compensation can be claimed for such conditions if your hearing loss has been caused by your being exposed to high noise levels in your workplace.  It is really only in the last 30 years that proper preventative measures have been introduced. Consequently many people were exposed to high noise levels in their work.

If you think you might have such a claim you should contact a solicitor who has experience in this area to advise you further.

Percy Hughes & Roberts has specialist lawyers who handle such claims. Contact Helen Townley (email helentownley@phrsols.co.uk)