Compensation for hearing damage

What is hearing damage?

Compensation for hearing damage? Hearing damage is defined as impaired hearing or complete loss of hearing in one or both ears.

What causes hearing damage?

Hearing damage occurs due to short-term and very loud sound or long-term exposure to noise.

Hearing damage can also occur in connection with illness, head injury or multiple trauma, and is often accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

You can also suffer hearing damage if you are exposed to violence.

Sometimes the hearing damage will cause hearing loss for a period of time before the hearing returns. Other times, the hearing damage is permanent.

Who is most at risk of hearing damage?

Employees in construction, road and rail, the music industry, traditional industry, shipping and the oil and offshore industry are most exposed to hearing damage.

What do I do if I have suffered a hearing injury?

According to Working Environment Act should not be exposed to noise above 85 decibels. However, there are still workplaces where employees are exposed to noise above the recommended limit and where the use of protective equipment is neglected.

In the event of a hearing injury, your employer is obliged to report the injury to NAV, and report the damage to Labour Inspection Authority.

The hearing injury must also be reported to the responsible occupational injury insurance company, and you must apply to NAV for recognition of the injury as an occupational injury within one year.

Am I entitled to compensation for hearing damage?

Answer. As a hearing impaired person, you are probably entitled to compensation for personal injury.

• If the hearing damage occurred due to short-term and very loud noise in the workplace, you are probably entitled to compensation for occupational injury.
• If the hearing damage occurred due to prolonged exposure to noise at work, you are probably entitled to compensation for occupational disease.
• If the hearing damage occurred in traffic, you are probably entitled to compensation under traffic accident under the responsible motor vehicle's liability insurance.
• If the hearing damage occurred due to violence, you may be entitled to compensation from the perpetrator, their liability insurance or from Office for Victim Compensation.
• If the injury occurred during medical treatment, you may be entitled to compensation from Norwegian Patient Injury Compensation.

Hearing damage too inflicted during leisure time may give rise to a claim for compensation, including through accident insurances.

In most cases of hearing damage, it will be necessary to carry out a hearing test, also known as an audiometric measurement, in addition to obtaining a medical specialist certificate.

If the hearing loss is accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears), it is not unusual for the injured party to also suffer cognitively, that is, with concentration, memory and learning. In addition, many suffer psychologically as a result of greatly reduced sleep quality and exhaustion.

Are hearing injuries recognised as occupational injuries by NAV?

Answer. If the hearing damage occurred at work for the employer at the workplace, and is the result of an accident, then you can apply NAV to Recognition of the injury as an occupational injury. If you receive a decision from NAV that you have an «approved occupational injury», you will automatically receive benefits in the NAV system.

Among other things, you can avoid paying a deductible for treatment by a doctor or physiotherapist by presenting the decision on «approved occupational injury».

As a general rule, you can also be reimbursed for dental expenses, medicines and special medical equipment. You may also be entitled to compensation from NAV.

Read also: How to apply for occupational injury compensation from NAV
Read more: How NAV assesses whether you have an occupational injury

How much can I receive in compensation?

The amount of compensation you can receive for a hearing injury depends, among other things, on the severity of the injury and the consequences it has for your ability to work. If you suffer permanent hearing damage and your ability to work is also reduced, the compensation can amount to several million kroner.

Do I need a lawyer?

Answer. Hearing injuries are often complicated compensation cases both legally and medically. Therefore, it will be necessary to contact lawyer to clarify the insurance companies' liability and the scope of this liability.

Do I have to pay for my own lawyer after a hearing injury?

No, they won't. Your legal expenses will normally be covered by the insurance company if the injury occurred at work or in traffic.

Why should I choose Advokatfirmaet Halvorsen & Co?

Over almost 30 years, our clients have received billions of kroner in compensation. Our lawyers are experts in compensation law and have assisted a large number of clients following hearing injuries.

We always offer a free assessment of your compensation case. Get in touch with us today.