Claims for industrial deafness and noise-induced hearing loss are surprisingly common in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 17,000 people…
Read moreClaim compensation for hearing loss or deafness
If you’ve suffered deafness or hearing loss due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, we can help you make a hearing loss compensation claim.
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Hearing Loss Claims
If you have suffered hearing loss because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Hearing loss claims are handled under a no win no fee agreement, making the claims process simple and accessible.
Hearing loss can have various causes, including road traffic accidents, physical assaults and exposure to loud noises at work. Its severity can range from mild impairment to total deafness, profoundly impacting daily activities and your quality of life.
To find out if you have a valid hearing loss compensation claim, call 0800 470 0474 for a free case assessment. Alternatively, you can enter your details into our contact form to request a call back.
Key points about hearing loss claims
- Am I eligible to claim?
You may be able to claim if your hearing loss was caused by exposure to noise at work, medical negligence, or another accident that wasn’t your fault. - Who can I claim against?
Responsibility may lie with your employer, a business or a medical provider, depending on how your hearing loss occurred. - How long do I have to claim?
You usually have 3 years from when you first became aware of your hearing loss and its link to negligence. - How much compensation can I claim?
This depends on the type and severity of your hearing loss, whether it’s permanent, and how it affects your daily life and employment. - Will I pay legal fees?
Your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay them a fee if they win your claim.
If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a hearing loss claim?
You may be eligible to make a hearing loss claim for compensation if your condition was caused or worsened by another party’s negligence. An experienced hearing loss solicitor can let you know if you can proceed within minutes by verifying whether:
- Another party, such as your employer, owed you a legal duty of care.
- They breached this duty towards you by acting negligently.
- Their actions caused damage to your hearing, pain, suffering and financial losses.
Your lawyer will prove a duty of care and liability by referring to the appropriate legislation, depending on your circumstances. For example, the Road Traffic Act 1988 could be relevant if your eardrum perforated following a car accident.
Who pays a claim for hearing loss compensation?
Claims for deafness or noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are typically made against employers. These are a type of industrial disease claim that arises from workplace exposure to unsafe noise levels for extended periods.
Other parties may be liable for compensation in hearing loss cases, including:
- A driver who caused a road traffic accident.
- A property owner or occupier.
- A medical provider who offered substandard care.
It will typically be the defendant’s insurer who will pay the compensation, with a few exceptions. For example, if you were injured due to a criminal act, your claim will likely be processed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
How much compensation could my hearing loss claim be worth?
Hearing loss compensation amounts vary depending on the severity of your condition and its impact on your life. Compensation is split into:
- General damages – awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
- Special damages – cover financial losses and expenses.
Special damages are calculated based on financial documents such as receipts and payslips, so it is essential to keep records of all your expenses. On the other hand, general damages do not have a specific monetary value and are determined by the Judicial College guidelines.
According to our compensation calculator, you may be awarded:
| Injury Description | Compensation Award |
|---|---|
| Slight hearing loss with mild or occasional tinnitus | Up to £12,500 |
| Partial hearing loss with no tinnitus | In the region of £11,720 |
| Mild tinnitus with some noise-induced hearing loss | Up to £14,300 |
| Severe hearing loss and tinnitus | £36,260 to £55,570 |
| Loss of hearing in one ear | £38,210 to £55,570 |
| Complete and permanent hearing loss in both ears | £110,750 to £140,000 |
If you want to know how much your hearing loss claim could be worth, you can request a free case assessment today by using our online claim form.
What is the hearing loss claim time limit?
If you’ve suffered any degree of deafness due to someone else’s negligence and want to seek compensation, you must usually start your claim within three years from:
- The date of the accident that caused your injury;
- The date your condition was diagnosed, if it developed over time (the date of knowledge).
There are a few exceptions to the three-year claim limitation date under the Limitation Act 1980:
- A child injury claim can be made at any point before their 18th birthday.
- If you were injured due to a criminal assault, you have two years to start a claim through the CICA, starting from the date of the incident.
- You have seven years to make a military hearing loss claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
What is the hearing loss claims process?
If you want to claim compensation for hearing loss, the following steps are usually involved:
1. A free case assessment
A legal adviser will offer you a no-obligation consultation over the phone and provide advice on your chances of success and the compensation you may be entitled to.
2. Appointing a solicitor
If your claim is accepted, a personal injury lawyer who is right for your case will be appointed for you. They will begin to collect information and evidence about the severity of your hearing loss, what caused it, and its impact on your life.
3. Medical assessment
Your lawyer will arrange a free medical assessment with an expert hearing loss specialist who will link your injury to the defendant’s negligence and determine the likelihood of it worsening in the future.
4. Negotiations and compensation
Once you have all the supporting evidence you need, your solicitor will calculate how much compensation you could claim and contact the other party to negotiate a settlement. If negotiations go well, the final step of the claims process is receiving your compensation.
5. Court proceedings
If the defendant does not admit liability or negotiations fail, you may need to argue your case in court.
Can I make a No Win No Fee hearing loss claim?
If you are entitled to make a claim for loss of hearing, the solicitors we work with will be happy to take on your case on a no win no fee basis.
This is the most common option for funding a personal injury claim, as it allows you access to a lawyer regardless of your financial situation. No win no fee works like this:
- You do not have to pay any legal fees upfront.
- If you win, your lawyer will receive a success fee deducted from your compensation (capped at 25%).
- If you lose the claim, you do not have to pay your legal representative a fee.
Common situations leading to hearing loss compensation claims
Various accidents and types of negligence could cause you to suffer from hearing loss, including:
- Working in environments such as factories, construction sites and music venues without proper hearing protection.
- Negligent medical treatment, such as poor treatment of ear infections or surgical errors affecting the auditory nerve.
- Blunt force trauma to the head during criminal assaults.
- Exposure to sudden, loud blasts, such as explosions in military settings or industrial sites.
- Head injuries or trauma to the ears during road traffic accidents, falls or sporting activities.
This list is not exhaustive, and as long as another party caused your hearing loss or deafness, you may be eligible for compensation. To verify your eligibility within minutes, call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back and you will receive a free case assessment.
Can I claim compensation for hearing loss caused by medical negligence?
All healthcare professionals have a legal duty towards their patients. They must follow the extensive guidelines offered by bodies such as NICE and the GMC to ensure patient safety and prevent avoidable harm.
That said, you could make a medical negligence claim for hearing loss if your solicitor can prove that:
- Breach of duty – Your healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care expected of them.
- Causation – Their negligence directly caused or significantly contributed to your condition.
- Damages – You suffered losses, such as pain, emotional distress and medical costs.
Common examples of medical negligence that can lead to a claim:
- Surgical mistakes, such as accidental damage to the auditory nerve.
- Complications with a cochlear implant procedure.
- Delayed or missed diagnosis of ear infections.
- Prescribing or administering ototoxic drugs without informed consent.
- Negligence during pregnancy or childbirth, such as failure to treat maternal infections.
- Failure to adequately treat a head injury or a perforated eardrum.
Can I make a deafness claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?
A criminal assault or physical altercation can cause hearing loss and deafness from blunt trauma to the head or sharp objects that penetrate the ear.
When the offender is unidentified or lacks the financial means to compensate their victim, a claim can be made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA offers a maximum of £44,000 in compensation for total hearing loss in both ears.
Some of the eligibility criteria for a CICA claim include:
- The assault happened in the UK, where you were a resident at the time.
- You have reported it to the police within a reasonable timeframe.
- You have a crime reference number.
- Your actions did not contribute to the incident.
Can I make a claim for industrial deafness compensation?
Yes. If your employer has failed in their duty of care towards you and your hearing was affected, you may be able to make an industrial deafness claim.
While at work, your employer has a legal duty to protect you from the risk of industrial deafness and hearing loss. Their duties are outlined in various legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and include:
- Conduct regular risk assessments and identify areas where noise levels exceed 85dB.
- Take steps to reduce noise exposure, such as using quieter machinery or sound-absorbing materials.
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as earplugs or earmuffs.
- Train staff on how to use PPE correctly and effectively.
- Offer regular hearing tests to employees exposed to high noise levels.
- Provide training and information on noise risks and hearing damage.
- Regularly review and update noise control measures to ensure ongoing compliance and effectiveness.
Industrial hearing loss claims are most common in industries and workplaces such as:
- Bars, nightclubs and live music venues.
- Mining, forestry and agriculture.
- Manufacturing and heavy industry.
- Construction sites and foundries.
- Landscaping and road maintenance.
- The armed forces.
Whatever your industry, if your employer has failed to take all reasonable measures to protect your hearing, you could make an industrial deafness compensation claim.
Can I claim for hearing loss through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme?
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a government scheme run by Veterans UK. It provides financial support to members of the armed forces who suffered an injury or illness as a result of their service, whether during training, combat, or active duty.
Unlike civil personal injury claims, the AFCS is a no-fault scheme, meaning you do not have to prove negligence. To qualify for loss of hearing compensation through the AFCS, you must only prove that your service caused or made worse your hearing impairment.
How much compensation can you get for hearing loss under the AFCS?
AFCS compensation is based on 15 levels of tariffs reflecting the severity of an injury or illness. For example, you could receive £15,965 for loss of hearing in one ear, which is classed as a level 11 injury.
During 2022/23, 110 AFCS claims for hearing loss were successful and were awarded £710,000 in total. During the same period, 1,706 noise-induced hearing loss claims were made under common law, totalling £31.50 million in compensation.
What evidence do I need to support my personal injury claim?
To succeed in a hearing loss or tinnitus claim, you need compelling evidence to prove negligence and the impact on your life, such as:
- Audiograms and hearing tests – to confirm the level of hearing impairment.
- Medical records – detailing your diagnosis, its severity and causes.
- Treatment history – including medication, surgeries or hearing aids prescribed to you.
- Visual evidence – photos, videos or CCTV footage of the accident.
- Police reports – including a crime reference number if you were the victim of an assault.
- Employment records – to prove workplace exposure to unsafe noise.
- Witness statements – from coworkers or others who can support your claim.
- Expert testimony – from experts such as acoustic engineers or audiologists.
- Financial documents – to prove any out-of-pocket expenses incurred.
Frequently asked questions
Hearing loss is a medical condition in which your ability to hear sounds is partially or entirely diminished. It can develop gradually due to ageing or prolonged exposure to loud noises, or have a sudden onset caused by trauma to the head or eardrum, infections or acoustic shock.
In the UK, it is estimated that over 18 million adults are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Many people with hearing loss also have tinnitus and balance difficulties, which further affect their quality of life.
There are three types of hearing loss:
- Conductive: the sound cannot pass through the ear canal or middle ear to reach the inner ear (for example, you have a perforated eardrum);
- Sensorineural: it is caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve (due to ageing or noise exposure);
- Mixed: a combination of the two, where both the outer or middle ear and the inner ear are affected (could be due to head trauma or infections).
Furthermore, hearing loss can affect one or both ears and be either temporary or permanent.
Most people lose their hearing gradually, and the symptoms are not always evident or are not the same in every person. Some signs that may indicate damage to your hearing include:
- Difficulty understanding and following conversations, especially in noisy environments.
- People’s voices and other sounds may seem muffled, unclear or distant.
- Frequently asking others to repeat what they said.
- A constant feeling that people are mumbling.
- Listening to music or the TV at higher volumes than other people need.
- Difficulty understanding from which direction the noise is coming.
- Ear pain or a feeling as if there is pressure or fluid inside it.
- Double hearing, known as diplacusis.
If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss symptoms, it is essential to seek medical care as soon as possible to receive a diagnosis and prevent further damage.
Diagnosing hearing loss involves a combination of medical assessments, hearing tests, and sometimes imaging. Your healthcare provider will usually:
- Start by asking you about your symptoms and medical history.
- Conduct a physical exam to look for signs of infection or earwax.
- Order a CT scan or MRI if they suspect a structural issue, such as a tumour.
An audiologist may conduct further tests to assess the eardrum, inner ear function and how the nerve impulses are conducted from the ear to the brain.
Depending on the type of hearing loss you have and its cause, treatment options include:
- Medication – such as antibiotics or corticosteroids.
- Surgery – to repair a ruptured eardrum or remove a tumour.
- Hearing aids – for partial deafness.
- Cochlear implants – for severe hearing loss.
- Therapy – to learn lip reading or other strategies, to improve communication.
Losing your hearing, especially if the deafness is severe and permanent, can have a significant impact on various aspects of your life, including:
- Loss of ability to work or earning capacity.
- Social isolation, loneliness and strained relationships.
- Increased risk of accident due to reduced ability to hear alarms, sirens or car horns.
- A faster rate of cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia.
- Reduced ability to participate in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy.
- A profound emotional and psychological effect, leading to anxiety and depression.
Your hearing loss claims solicitor will carefully consider how your condition has impacted your life when calculating your compensation for hearing loss.
If someone’s hearing has been affected because of another party’s negligence, and they cannot handle a compensation claim themselves, you could represent them.
You can act as their litigation friend if you have no conflicting interests and can conduct legal proceedings fairly and competently. This process is typically used when the claimant is under 18 or is a protected party under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
There is no set amount of time for resolving a personal injury claim for hearing loss. If your case is straightforward, such as after a car accident where liability is clear, it could settle within a few months. If the circumstances of your injury are more complex and proving liability is not that easy, your claim could take several years.
To find out if you can make a no win no fee hearing loss claim, please contact us today by calling 0800 470 0474 or using our online contact form to request a call back.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
