What Connecticut jobs have the highest risk of hearing loss?

Most work compensation cases often involve skeletal or muscular injuries that impact the employee’s ability to move. While the worker can continue at their job after recovering or adjusting to their disability, it can be especially harder for victims that suffer a loss of hearing.

The ability to hear is crucial for a job as you can need to hear your employer tell you what to do or warnings for incoming obstacles. There are few jobs out there that do not require someone who needs to hear sound. The recent Occupational Disease in Connecticut report released by UConn Health states there were 105 reports of hearing loss in 2016, which is a 25 percent increase from the previous year. They also highlight the industries that suffered the most from this condition.

Manufacturing

It should come as no surprise that the most reports for hearing loss in 2016 came from the manufacturing industry. There were 61 cases in general manufacturing in Connecticut, with 53 of those cases in the transportation equipment department. There is loud machinery, compressed air pressure and many obstacles that could blast loud noise or strike the ears of the workers.

These companies require their employees to wear hearing protection devices such as earplugs and headphones when they enter the building. Unfortunately, many workers refuse to put them on as they might find it a hindrance to work with or need to hear another noise like a fellow worker talking. Connecticut employers are encouraged to find solutions to suppress the noise and properly train their workers to prepare for noisy environments.

Law enforcement

Combined with schools and other government jobs, police and firefighters made up 17 of Connecticut’s hearing loss cases in 2016. You have heard how loud sirens can be when you see an emergency vehicle pass, so try to imagine being the people inside one. On top of this, emergency responders often have to deal with loud alarms and use noisy equipment such as guns, air horns and speakers inside of dangerous environments that provide screaming victims, criminals and fire hazards.

Given the unpredictable nature of the field, police and firefighters may not be used to requiring constant ear protection like manufacturers. Police can wear protection in training with firearms and firefighters are making efforts towards developing strategies and technology to minimize hearing loss chances. Most of the times, law enforcement can be lenient towards accepting workers with hearing aids, but it is not a guarantee.

With how much losing your hearing can impact the rest of your life, you deserve the right amount of workers’ compensation to aid in your recovery. If you are not getting enough, you should contact a Connecticut workers’ compensation attorney to help you make the process less stressful.