Millions of people in the United Kingdom suffer from deafness and tinnitus mostly from natural causes however a very significant number of deafness and tinnitus cases result from occupational factors caused by working in a noisy environment. There are very strict requirements placed on employers who must ensure that noisy areas in the workplace are clearly marked as hazardous and adequate ear protection must be provided to employees and worn in relevant areas. Employers have a duty to ensure that the ear protection is actually worn and are at liberty to dismiss any employee who refuses to take care of their own health and safety. Any failure by an employer that results in occupational hearing loss including industrial deafness or tinnitus is actionable by the employee who may start an industrial deafness compensation claim.
Tinnitus in particular can be caused by an injury to the head or neck as well as from certain medications or due to old age, but being exposed to loud noise for any length of time is the most likely cause. In tinnitus the hair cells of the inner ear become damaged and the brain receives erroneous electrical impulses from the ear which leads to the ringing or buzzing typical of tinnitus. Ear, nose and throat consultants are generally able to distinguish between naturally occurring hearing loss and industrial deafness or tinnitus caused by exposure to excessive noise.
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