Hickory Occupational Hearing Loss Lawyer

Hickory Occupational Hearing Loss Attorney

Workplaces across Hickory expose workers to many different risks. One of these risks is occupational hearing loss. When a worker is exposed to high levels of noise or loud sounds over a period of time, it can lead to hearing loss. Hearing loss can also cause stress, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Whether you are a carpenter in Viewmont or a construction worker working along U.S. Route 70, a Hickory occupational hearing loss lawyer is here for you.

Trust Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC to Protect Your Workers’ Compensation Rights

For over two decades, the team at Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC has been serving men and women throughout Burke, Catawba, and Caldwell counties to protect their rights after suffering injuries at work. Hearing loss isn’t just a simple annoyance—it has the ability to turn our entire lives upside down and keep us from being able to continue our employment. During these difficult times, you deserve a Hickory workers’ compensation lawyer who can deliver results.

Common Causes of Work-Related Hearing Loss in Hickory, NC

Across the United States, approximately 11% of all workers deal with hearing difficulties. There are a multitude of factors and workplace environments where this kind of hearing loss can occur. Recognizing these sources can help increase your preparedness and actually help you prevent certain forms of occupational hearing loss. The most common causes of work-related hearing loss in Hickory include:

• Loud noises. North Carolina defines “loud or harmful noise” as any sound above 90 decibels. If you are exposed to this loud noise for an extended period of time without proper protection, you can face permanent hearing loss. There are certain factors that can influence hearing loss and its severity caused by loud noises, including:
  • Frequency of exposure. Being regularly exposed to loud noise at work, such as that from power tools, machinery, or equipment, can gradually increase the damage done to your hearing.
  • Proximity. When you work near machinery or tools that generate high levels of noise, you may have an increased risk of developing future hearing loss.
  • An intermittent or continuous source of noise. Loud bursts of sporadic noise versus continuous sources of noise can affect the ears in different ways. However, both can contribute to hearing loss.
• Chemicals. Being exposed to certain chemicals can actually affect the body’s hearing abilities. These chemicals usually involve solvents, which can damage your ears and increase their sensitivity to loud sounds. Examples of these chemicals include carbon monoxide, pesticides, and cleaning agents that contain Xylene or Toluene.

If you or someone you love is experiencing hearing loss due to their job, the attorneys at Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC are here to help you recover benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

Industries That Run a Higher Risk of Hearing Loss

While nearly any mode of employment can lead you to suffer hearing loss, there are certain jobs where this is more of a reality. Employers are required to do what they can to mitigate the possibility of hearing loss by providing employees with personal protective equipment and reducing sound levels as much as possible. However, even with these regulations in place, hearing loss is still common across the following industries:

• Mining. According to a recent study from the CDC, 18% of all mining, oil, and gas workers deal with hearing difficulty. This is often due to the drilling and explosive blasts that can occur in and around mines. These sounds can often lead to permanent hearing loss.
• Airport staff. Plane engines and ground vehicles can generate noise that can lead to hearing loss for those who work on the tarmac of an airport.
• Construction work. The buzzing, clanging, beeping, and other common sounds on a construction site can all lead to serious hearing damage.
• Manufacturing. The noise generated by heavy machinery often used in manufacturing can cause occupational hearing loss for workers.
• Dental hygienists. Polishers, suction tools, scalers, and other dental tools can all generate loud, continuous noise inside small spaces that can result in hearing loss for workers.
• Carpenters. Tools such as saws or drills can produce high-pitched sounds that can increase the risk of occupational hearing loss for woodworkers.

FAQs About Hickory, NC Occupational Hearing Loss Laws

What Are the Warning Signs of Hearing Loss?

There are several warning signs that can signal hearing loss. These include a loss of hearing that doesn’t return after you have left work, constant ringing in your ears even after you’ve left your job, difficulty hearing others who are near you, needing to constantly ask people to repeat themselves, suffering from persistent ear pain, and hearing others’ words as just mumbling.

How Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a workers’ compensation lawyer is here to listen to your side of the story. We can assist you in gathering the necessary evidence and can help you file your initial claim for compensation. If that initial claim is denied, we have the resources and experience necessary to represent you in an appeal.

Can Loud Music Venues Lead to Hearing Loss?

Yes, if you work a job where you are consistently exposed to loud music, then you may suffer occupational hearing loss. Commonly affected individuals include the musicians themselves, stage crews, and staff members who work at these venues. At music venues, noise protection is rarely available, and noise is often amplified, leading to possible hearing loss.

What Evidence Is Helpful to Prove Hearing Loss?

There are two main forms of evidence that can help you prove hearing loss in a workers’ compensation claim. These can include both medical evidence and employment records. Medical records might include the results of an audiogram or documents regarding your official diagnoses. Employment records, such as those that show the duties of your job and whether you were provided with protective equipment, can also help prove your claim.

Hire a Hickory Occupational Hearing Loss Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one is dealing with suspected occupational hearing loss, you might be entitled to recover compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. At Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, we are here to advocate for your rights. To learn more about our legal services, contact our Hickory office today and schedule your initial consultation.