The Different Types Of Hearing Loss

Industrial deafness is a debilitating condition that affects thousands of workers in the United Kingdom with millions more exposed to frequent loud noise in their workplaces on a regular basis. Contrary to popular belief, the symptoms of industrial deafness are subtle and can develop over a period of months, sometimes years. Common symptoms of hearing loss include muffled sounding voices, ringing in the ears and missing certain words when someone is speaking to you. Depending on the severity of your condition, if you catch the symptoms early then you can reduce the amount of damage done to your hearing. There are four recognized types of industrial deafness which are classified as tinnitus, acoustic trauma, temporary loss of hearing and permanent loss of hearing. Each category has specific ailments and symptoms which have been compiled below. If you believe you are suffering from any of the following then you should seek medical advice as soon as possible. Furthermore, you should consult with a tinnitus claim solicitor as you may be entitled to industrial deafness compensation depending on the nature of your work and the causes surrounding your condition. Follow more posts from my blog such as 5 ways to improve your social health.

Tinnitus

This condition typically manifests as a constant ringing or buzzing in one or both ears. Often, tinnitus is a symptom of one of the other 3 conditions but is no less frustrating for sufferers. Tinnitus is sometimes temporary, for example, you may have experienced a mild sensation of tinnitus after leaving a loud concert or gig. This tends to fade after a few hours but others are not so fortunate. With persistent exposure to loud noises, the condition can become permanent which can be very distracting for the sufferer. In addition, tinnitus can lead to forms of mental illness, mainly depression and anxiety. Tinnitus compensation claims are common amongst those who work in foundries, construction sites or other industries that require the use of power tools or loud machinery.

Acoustic Trauma

Acoustic trauma is caused by sudden loud noises that have the potential to inflict immediate and permanent damage to the hair cells and bones which make up the inner ear. Unfortunately, this form of industrial deafness is untreatable and therefore prevention is the only cure. Acoustic trauma is common amongst those in the military and others who can potentially experience sudden bursts of loud noise originating from sources such as sound equipment, industrial machinery, and explosions.

Temporary Deafness

As the name of this condition suggests it is reversible, though if it persists could be a sign of further hearing problems in the future. Often caused by temporary damage to hair cells in the inner ear after several hours of exposure to loud noise, the condition can last for as little as a few hours or as long as two days. However, regular exposure to noise levels of this magnitude will inevitably result in permanent loss of hearing.

Permanent Deafness

Permanent deafness, also known as permanent threshold shift, is irreversible. This condition is often the result of years of unprotected exposure to loud noises in the workplace and is rarely immediately noticeable; often it worsens over a period of time with hearing becoming ever more muffled and sounds less clear. Aside from seeking medical help for any of these conditions, you are encouraged to seek legal advice from a solicitor who can advise you in making industrial deafness claims. Be it through the negligence of an employer or poorly thought out safety routines, your lifestyle has been irrevocably changed and you are entitled to compensation to cover medical costs and to help make up for any lost earnings.

Author Bio:

Dipali is an enthusiastic health blogger and the founder of lifecares.org. She likes to share her thoughts to make people inspired about their fitness. She is an experienced writer and author on highly authoritative health blogs.