Work-related hearing loss is one of the most common—and often overlooked—occupational injuries. Whether caused by years of exposure to loud machinery or a sudden on-the-job accident, hearing loss can significantly impact your ability to work and enjoy daily life. If you’re suffering from job-related hearing damage, you may be entitled to work-related hearing loss compensation through North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system.
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we’ve helped countless injured workers in Charlotte secure the benefits they need. With over 40 years of combined experience and a commitment to fairness and justice, we’re ready to help you navigate the claims process and protect your rights.
You can reach our lawyers at 980-326-2270.
This article explains how occupational hearing loss claims work, what compensation is available, and whether you can sue your employer for hearing loss.
What Are Common Causes of Work-Related Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss can result from prolonged exposure or a sudden event in the workplace. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Chronic exposure to loud machinery or equipment,
- Single loud events or explosions,
- Inadequate or missing hearing protection,
- Exposure to ototoxic substances, and
- Head trauma or physical impact.
These causes can affect workers across a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and aviation to construction and even office environments with faulty equipment. Regardless of the source, hearing loss sustained in the course of employment may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits under North Carolina law.
Am I Eligible for Workers’ Comp If I Suffer from Hearing Loss Due to My Job?
Yes, under North Carolina law, workers who experience hearing loss due to harmful noise exposure at work may qualify for workers’ compensation. Injuries typically fall into one of two types: occupational diseases caused by prolonged exposure to harmful noise or hearing damage from a single, isolated event.
Hearing Loss as an Occupational Disease
To qualify for work-related hearing loss compensation, several criteria must be met:
- The hearing loss must be permanent and sensorineural. Extended exposure to harmful workplace noise damages hearing. Temporary or psychogenic hearing issues, such as tinnitus alone, are not compensable.
- The exposure must occur over time. The loss must develop gradually due to continuous noise exposure rather than from a single incident.
- Both ears must be affected. Except in cases of preexisting deafness in one ear, compensation is available only for hearing loss in both ears.
- Hearing protection must have been used properly. North Carolina law requires that the hearing loss was not caused by the employee’s willful failure to use employer-provided hearing protection. In other words, if the employee deliberately ignores the provided safety devices, benefits may be denied.
- Testing must confirm the loss. Hearing loss is measured through audiometric testing at specific frequencies (500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 cycles per second). The percentage of hearing loss is calculated using standardized national methods.
The employer who last exposed the employee to harmful noise for at least 90 working days is responsible for paying compensation. But you must wait to file a claim until six months have passed since your last exposure to harmful noise at work.
For total hearing loss in both ears, North Carolina law allows up to 150 weeks of compensation. For partial loss, compensation is calculated proportionally based on the degree of impairment.
Hearing Loss from a Single Event
An employee may suffer hearing loss suddenly from a specific, traumatic event, such as an explosion, machinery malfunction, or head trauma. When hearing loss occurs as the result of a single incident, it is not treated as an “occupational disease” under North Carolina law but instead as a specific injury by accident.
In these situations, different legal requirements apply. Most importantly, the injured worker must provide written notice of the injury to the employer within 30 days of the incident. This is a strict deadline set by North Carolina workers’ compensation law, and failing to notify the employer on time can result in a denial of benefits. The worker must also file Form 18 (Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee) with the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
What Is Workplace Hearing Loss Compensation?
Work-related hearing loss compensation is financial and medical support provided through North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system. It is designed to help injured employees recover after a job-related injury. If you’ve lost part or all of your hearing due to your job, occupational deafness compensation may include:
- Medical expenses,
- Wage replacement,
- Disability benefits, and
- Vocational rehabilitation.
These benefits are available regardless of fault. You don’t have to prove negligence—only that your hearing loss arose out of and in the course of employment.
What Factors Determine the Settlement of Occupational Deafness Compensation?
Work-related hearing loss claims can vary widely in value, and North Carolina law considers several key factors when determining compensation. Understanding what influences the settlement amount can help injured workers navigate the process more confidently and avoid surprises.
Factors can include:
- Extent of hearing loss,
- Whether one or both ears are affected,
- Impact on ability to work,
- Degree of permanence,
- Pre-existing conditions, and
- Compliance with safety protocols.
Every hearing loss case is unique, and settlements depend not just on medical evidence but also on how well the claim is documented and argued. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can work to confirm that all relevant factors are considered.
Can I Sue My Employer for Hearing Loss?
In most cases, you cannot sue your employer directly for hearing loss due to North Carolina’s “exclusive remedy” rule. Workers’ compensation is the primary legal recourse for job-related injuries.
However, you may be able to file a separate lawsuit against a third party, like an equipment manufacturer, who acted negligently or against your employer if they acted with intentional misconduct (rare).
If you’re unsure whether a lawsuit may apply, a workers’ comp attorney can evaluate your case and identify all available legal options.
Talk to a Charlotte Workers’ Comp Attorney About Your Workplace Hearing Loss Compensation Claim
If you’ve suffered hearing loss due to hazardous noise exposure at work, you don’t have to face the claims process alone. At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we prioritize personal service and direct attorney involvement every step of the way. Unlike firms that hand clients off to case managers or paralegals, you’ll work one-on-one with a dedicated workers’ compensation attorney who knows your case inside and out.
From filing your claim to challenging a denial or negotiating a fair settlement, we work to protect your rights and make your voice heard. If your job has affected your hearing, let us help you take the next step toward financial recovery and peace of mind.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help with your workplace hearing loss claim.
Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers
Mehta & McConnell, PLLC was founded in 2021 to represent individuals who are injured at work or due to the negligence of someone else. Both of our attorneys began their careers as defense attorneys representing large corporations and insurance companies, but we now only represent injured individuals.
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