Hearing loss compensation claims
If you have suffered from hearing loss or deafness from an accident that wasn’t your fault or because of someone else’s negligence, you can claim for compensation.
The most important things to remember when making a compensation claim for hearing loss:
- You can claim compensation for hearing loss if it was caused by an accident that wasn’t your fault or by someone else’s negligence
- In most cases, you have up to three years from your diagnosis to start your claim
- The amount of compensation you may be able to claim for hearing loss will depend on how severe your symptoms are and their effect on your life
- There is no set amount of time for processing hearing loss claims. Claims can take a few months to over a year, depending on the circumstances of how the injury occurred, how complex your claim is and how difficult it may be to prove liability
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How much compensation can I claim for hearing loss?
The amount of compensation you may be able to claim for hearing loss will depend on how severe your symptoms are and their effect on your life.
The factors that affect how much compensation is awarded in hearing loss claims may include:
- If the injury was suffered at an early age and the impact on speech
- If the injury affects balance
- The impact on a person’s ability to work
- The presence and severity of tinnitus
According to the Judicial College Guidelines, settlement amounts for hearing loss can start at £7,100 for low-level hearing loss up to £140,000 for total deafness and loss of speech.
Compensation amounts for hearing loss claims
| Severity of noise induced hearing loss | Amount of compensation |
|---|---|
| Total Deafness and Loss of Speech | £109,000 – £140,000 |
| Total Deafness | £90,000 – £109,000 |
| Total Loss of Hearing in One Ear | £31,000 – 45,500 |
| Moderate tinnitus and NIHL or moderate to severe tinnitus or NIHL alone | £14,000 – £29,000 |
| Mild tinnitus with some NIHL | £12,500 – £14,500 |
| Mild tinnitus alone or mild NIHL alone | £11,720 |
| Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL | ££7,000 – £12,500 |
| Slight NIHL without tinnitus or slight tinnitus without NIHLL | up to £7,100 |
These amounts only consider the compensation you could claim for your symptoms, known as General Damages.
It does not consider what you may be able to claim for Special Damages – the amount of compensation you can claim for your out-of-pocket expenses and how your injuries may have affected your life.
Such expenses may include, but would not be limited to;
- Any loss of income you may have suffered, both from time off work or if you had to change jobs
- Any medical and rehabilitation equipment or treatment you may require, including speech therapy
- Any costs for the care you may have or will need to receive, even if provided by a family member
- Any out-of-pocket expenses you or anyone who has cared for you may have incurred
- Any out-of-pocket expenses you may have incurred because of your injuries
Our experienced personal injury claim solicitors understand how hearing loss can profoundly impact your life and have over two decades of successfully fighting for the legal rights of clients who have suffered through no fault of their own.
What our clients say
What is the time limit for making a hearing loss compensation claim?
You will usually have three years after the hearing loss was caused due to negligence to bring your claim.
How can hearing loss solicitors help?
Express Solicitors have years of experience winning hearing loss claims so you can be sure your case is in safe hands. We can also advise you of the right course of action and offer support to help build your case.
Our friendly solicitors provide complimentary access to legal advice, and there is no obligation to make a claim if you decide not to proceed at this time.
How to start a hearing loss claim
After experiencing hearing loss, the first step is always to seek medical attention, even if the hearing loss is only mild. This will help maximise your chance of recovery and provide critical evidence when making a hearing loss or deafness claim.
The chances of winning your case will also increase if you are able to gather evidence of your hearing damage. This could be in the form of photographs, witness statements and medical records. Express Solicitors can also offer aid in collecting evidence and with legal decisions.
Can I make a compensation claim for noise-induced hearing loss?
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs following exposure to loud noises without the correct personal protective equipment.
Different types of noise can cause this type of hearing loss, and it is very common in loud workplaces such as nightclubs, construction sites and factories.
Noise-induced hearing loss is very common. In fact, most hearing loss claims are brought due to noise-induced hearing loss. There are three key types of noise-induced hearing loss claims, including tinnitus claims, acoustic shock claims and industrial deafness claims.
Can I claim compensation for tinnitus?
Yes, you can claim compensation for tinnitus if you have been diagnosed with tinnitus that was caused by someone else’s negligence or is the result of an accident that was someone else’s fault.
Tinnitus is often caused following exposure to loud noises and, in most cases, will accompany hearing loss. If you are affected by tinnitus, you may experience whistling, ringing, whooshing, hissing or buzzing in your ears. Tinnitus can affect one or both ears and seriously impact your daily life.
Making a tinnitus claim for compensation can provide you with financial support when you most need it and cover the cost of treatment.
Treatments include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, counselling or tinnitus retraining therapy.
Can I claim compensation for acoustic shock?
Yes, you can claim compensation for acoustic shock if someone else’s actions or negligence caused your injuries.
Acoustic shock is typically caused by exposure to constant high-frequency noises or a single, loud noise. This type of noise-induced hearing loss occurs when loud sounds damage your internal ear structures. Acoustic shock could affect your eardrum or ear muscles, leading to hearing loss or deafness.
Acoustic shock claims can help you get back on your feet after your injury and allow you to access the care you need. This type of hearing loss is usually treated with hearing aids, cochlear implants, medication or ear protection.
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Can I claim compensation for hearing loss from military service?
Yes, you may be able to claim compensation for hearing loss caused while serving in the military if your injuries resulted from the negligence of those responsible for your duty of care.
As a member of the military, exposure to loud noises can lead to hearing loss and deafness. Your hearing can be damaged by anything from gunfire to explosions, aircraft, and continuous vehicle noise. If you were not provided with the appropriate ear protection or health and safety training, this would be considered negligence, and you would have a right to claim compensation.
You may be able to claim for compensation caused by
- Gun and artillery fire
- Mortars
- Explosions and pyrotechnics
- Aircraft and vehicle engine noise
You can claim compensation whether you served in the RAF, Army, Navy or any other branch of the military.
Can I claim for industrial deafness?
Employers are required by law to follow specific health and safety guidance to prevent hearing loss in employees. So, if your employer was negligent and their lack of care caused your hearing loss, you have the grounds for to make an industrial deafness compensation claim.
In order to make an industrial deafness claim, you will need to provide evidence of your employer’s failure to offer adequate training or personal protective equipment during your workday. If you have been affected by industrial deafness.
We understand the financial impact of an accident.
In 99% of cases, we recovered more compensation than the insurer’s first offer. We’ll provide financial security with our interim payments wherever possible, meaning you don’t need to rush into an offer that is lower than you’re legally entitled to.
Can I make a no win no fee hearing loss compensation claim?
Yes. Our hearing loss compensation claims are provided on a no win, no fee basis.
When a no win no fee claims agreement is set up, your solicitor will take an insurance policy out on your behalf, which protects you in the rare event the claim isn’t successful.
The policy covers any costs incurred relating to your claim. These costs could include legal fees, medical reports, court, and other expenses.
The insurance policy, known as after-the-event insurance, fully protects the person claiming if the claim is unsuccessful and from any costs during the compensation claim process, meaning you can make a claim without paying a penny.
You will only pay a fee if your claim is successful, and the amount will be agreed upon when you enter into the agreement at the start of the claim process.
How long will my hearing loss claim take?
There is no set amount of time for processing hearing loss claims. Claims can take a few months to over a year, depending on the circumstances of how the injury occurred, how complex your claim is and how difficult it may be to prove liability.
Unlimited legal support.
That’s right, we provide unlimited legal support for our prospective clients. Not sure if you have a claim, or if you even want to make a claim?
You can speak with us for as long as you like and as many times as you like. We’ll let you know your legal rights, completely free of charge and with no obligation to make a claim.
What are the different types of hearing loss?
An injury to the ear may involve mild or severe hearing loss or physical damage to your outer ear.
The ear has three parts: the inner ear, the middle ear (where your eardrum is located) and the outer ear. If any of your internal ear structures are damaged, this could result in hearing loss, deafness or tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
There are four common types of hearing loss that can all have a significant and lasting impact on the sufferer.
These types of hearing loss can also vary in severity, from partial hearing loss to complete deafness. Below is a summary of each type of hearing loss and their causes:
- Conductive hearing loss caused by earwax or damage to the eardrum
- Sensorineural hearing loss caused by loud noises, ototoxic medications or meningitis
- Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder caused by issues transmitting sound from the ears to the brain
- Mixed hearing loss caused by conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
Hearing loss can be disorienting and distressing for the sufferer, leaving them isolated and detached from others.
Hearing loss symptoms are physical and mental, affecting all aspects of day-to-day life. The most common symptoms of hearing loss include:
- Difficulty following conversations, especially in group situations
- Asking others to speak slower, louder, or to repeat themselves
- Trouble understanding words in noisy environments
- Listening to television or the radio on a high volume or using subtitles
- Noises in your ears
- Avoidance of conversations and social situations
- Isolation and depression
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