Industrial deafness

Industrial deafness is the loss of hearing caused by excessive noise in the workplace. A worker may have an entitlement to compensation for industrial deafness if their employment was a significant contributing factor causing the loss of hearing.

If we accept the application for industrial deafness, the worker is entitled to:

• reasonable costs for medical treatment
• necessary and reasonable travelling expenses for obtaining medical treatment, attending the audiologist or a medical assessment tribunal
• loss of wages for the time off work required to attend audiologist or a medical assessment tribunal hearing
• an assessment of lump-sum compensation.

WorkCover Queensland assesses applications involving loss of hearing the same way as we assess other claims. The only difference is that an audiologist is used to assess the worker's hearing loss.

Why is an audiologist used?

An audiologist will use an audiometric test to assess the worker's percentage of hearing loss. The worker will need to see an audiologist even if they have already had a hearing test with their treating doctor or an ear, nose and throat specialist. The results of the audiometric test are used to assess the worker's claim and calculate any compensation they may be entitled to.

The appointment with the audiologist may take up to one hour. The appointment involves the audiologist asking the worker questions about their history of noise exposure. The audiologist will also conduct a number of hearing tests.

WorkCover Queensland will send the worker an appointment letter about how they can ensure accurate testing. The injured worker will need to prepare for their appointment as explained in the appointment letter. This appointment is an opportunity for the injured worker to discuss their hearing problem with the audiologist.  There is also time during the appointment for the injured worker to ask any questions they may have.

The worker can take a friend or relative with them to the audiologist appointment. However, the friend or relative will need to remain in the waiting room during the worker's examination.

How is lump-sum compensation calculated?

The results of the hearing test will show the injured worker's percentage of hearing loss. Lump-sum compensation is based on this percentage. Under the workers’ compensation legislation, the injured worker is entitled to compensation for hearing loss they sustained during their employment in Queensland.

Workers are not entitled to receive compensation from WorkCover Queensland for:

• the first 5% loss of hearing, as this represents normal degenerative hearing loss
• any hearing loss as a result of:
  • employment outside of Queensland
  • employment with a self-insurer
  • self-employment
  • employment as an independent contractor (in some circumstances)
  • hearing loss you have already been compensated for.

Further applications for industrial deafness

Applications for further compensation for industrial deafness are decided following the same steps as for an initial claim. The two differences in the process are:

• the application must be lodged three years after the previous application
• lump-sum compensation is only payable if the further loss of hearing is more than 1%.