Symptoms of hearing loss include:
- Decreased hearing
- Muffled hearing
- Difficulty understanding speech
- Ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Ear pain, itching, or irritation
- Pus or fluid leaking from the ear. This may result from an injury or infection that is causing hearing loss
- Vertigo, which can occur with hearing loss caused by Ménière's disease, acoustic neuroma, or labyrinthitis.
- 90 dB is about the loudness of a large truck about 5 yards away. Motorcycles, snowmobiles, and similar engines range around 85 to 90 dB.
- 100 dB is reached by some rock concerts.
- 120 dB is a jackhammer from 3 feet away.
- 130 dB is a jet engine from 100 feet away.
- Airport workers
- Landscapers
- People who work in the music industry
- Bartenders
- Police officers
- Firefighters
- Cab, truck, and bus drivers
- Hairstylists
- Mechanics
- Factory workers
- Farmers and agricultural workers
- Manufacturers
- Metal workers
- Construction workers
- Pneumatic chip hammer 103-113 dB
- Jackhammer 102-111 dB
- Stud welder 101 dB
- Concrete joint cutter 99-102 dB
- Bulldozer 93-96 dB
- Crane 90-96 dB
- Earth Tamper 90-96 dB
- Skilsaw 88-102 dB
- Hammer 87-95 dB
- Gradeall 87-94 dB
- Front-end loader 86-94 dB
- Backhoe 84-93 dB
- Garbage disposal (at 3 ft.) 80 dB
- Vacuum cleaner 70 dB
Steps can be taken to prevent or reduce the risks of hearing loss. You should protect your ears when you are exposed to loud noises by wearing protective ear plugs or earmuffs. You should also educate yourself about the hearing loss risks of activities such as attending loud concerts, snowmobiling, or firing guns.
Under Minnesota workers’ compensation, if your occupational activities are substantial contributing factors to your hearing loss, your condition is covered under workers’ compensation. Medical care and treatment for your hearing loss is covered by workers’ compensation insurance. If you are unable to work due to your hearing loss, you may be entitled to wage loss benefits. If you are unable to go back to your former employment due to your hearing loss, you may be eligible for rehabilitation or retraining benefits. Finally, depending on the extent of your hearing loss, you may be entitled to permanent partial disability compensation. If you or someone you know suffers from work-related hearing loss, contact Meuser & Associates for a free consultation. Make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to. Call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email. An ASL translator is available on request.
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