Hearing Loss Claims
Has your hearing been affected by working in a noisy factory or noisy working conditions? Are you suffering from ringing in your ears? Contact our Hearing Loss Solicitors now, as you may be entitled to compensation.
Historically, Northern Ireland has had a strong industrial sector particularly in areas such as shipbuilding, textiles and engineering. These areas were renowned for being extremely noisy and now many people across Northern Ireland are suffering due to their employer’s failure to provide them with the correct health and safety equipment.
If this sounds familiar to you, or even a family member or friend, contact us at Boyd Rice Solicitors today and arrange to speak with our Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Specialist, Harrison Hall.
Harrison will arrange a free consultation and hearing test for you, and help guide you through the process of claiming the compensation that you are entitled to.
There are generally two main causes of hearing loss. A noisy working environment; and natural or age related (presbycusis) hearing loss. For many people, their hearing loss and tinnitus is due to exposure to high noise levels during their employment, without adequate or any hearing protection.
Please see below some of the symptoms reported to us by our clients:
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
- Muffled Hearing – Sounds may seem muffled, making it hard to distinguish specific sounds or voices. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) often affects the ability to hear high-pitched sounds.
- Withdrawal from Conversations – Because of the difficulty in hearing, individuals might avoid social situations and conversations, leading to feelings of isolation.
- Difficulty Understanding Speech – Individuals with hearing loss often have trouble understanding conversations, especially in noisy environments.
- Frequent Requests for Repetition – People with hearing loss may frequently ask others to repeat themselves or speak more slowly and clearly.
- Turning Up the Volume – They may turn up the volume of the television or radio louder than normal.
Tinnitus
- Ringing – Persistent ringing in one or both ears, which can vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal. This is the most common symptom and can be continuous or intermittent.
- Buzzing, Humming or Hissing – Some people experience a buzzing, humming, or hissing sound instead of ringing. These sounds can be heard even in quiet environments.
- Clicking – Rarely, tinnitus may present as a rhythmic clicking sound, sometimes in sync with the heartbeat.
- Sensitivity to Sound – Tinnitus sufferers may develop hyperacusis, an increased sensitivity to everyday sounds, which can be uncomfortable or painful.
- Difficulty Concentrating – The constant noise can make it hard to focus or concentrate, affecting work and daily activities.
- Sleep Disturbances – Many individuals with tinnitus experience trouble sleeping due to the persistent noise.
Occupations Causing Hearing Loss in Northern Ireland
Occupational hearing loss is a significant concern in Northern Ireland, particularly in regions with a high concentration of industrial workplaces. Areas in Northern Ireland known for their manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding industries, report higher incidences of hearing loss among workers.
Employees who worked in some of the following job roles could be entitled to claim compensation for noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus:
- Factory Workers
- Mechanics
- Miners
- Engineers
- PSNI and Military Personnel
- Construction Workers & Builders
- Office Workers
- Public Transport Workers
- Farmers & Agricultural Labourers
- Lorry Drivers & Bin Men
- Aviation Workers
Some of the main employers our clients worked for, as well as other quite well known factories, are set out below:
Employers (A - D)
- ASR Coatings
- Adria
- AkzoNobel
- Albion
- Ambler Mill
- Andrews Mill
- B H McCleery & Co
- Balfour Beattie
- Ballylumford Power Station
- Barbour Campbell Group
- Barbour Threads/ Hilden Mill
- Belfast Harbour Commissioners
- Belfast Ropeworks
- Belfast Telegraph
- Beverage Plastics
- Boxmore Plastics
- Brett Martin Ltd
- British Enkalon
- British Telecom
- Cape Insulation / Contracts
- Capper Pipe
- Carreras
- Caterpillar (NI) Ltd
- Coats Viyella
- Copeland Clothes
- Courtaulds Textiles
- Crepe Weavers
- Cyril Lord Carpets
- DeLorean Motor Company (DMC)
- Debretta
- Denton Plastics
- Desmonds
- Donaghadee Carpets
Employers (E - M)
- Euroweld
- F. G. Wilson
- Ford Motor Co. / Visteon
- Fruit of the Loom
- G Heyn
- GB Britton Limited
- GEC
- Gallaher Limited
- Goblin (NI) Ltd.
- Goodyear Tyre
- Harland and Wolff
- Herdman’s Mill
- Holdings
- Hugh J. Scott (Thrige Scott)
- ICI Chemical and Polymers
- Inglis Bakery
- Invercon Papers Mills
- Irish Bridge
- Irish Salt Mining & Exploration Co
- James Mackie and Sons
- Johnson Brothers and Wilson
- Kilroot Power Station
- Lamont
- Lee Apparel (Lee Jeans)
- Mackie International
- McCleery Yarns
- McCue Dick
- McLaughlin & Harvey
- Michelin Tyres
- Monsanto
- Monsanto Textiles
- Montefibre
- Montupet
Employers (M - W)
- Morphy Richards
- Mossley Mill (H Campbell & Co)
- Moygashel Textiles
- Nortel Networks/ Standard Telephone Company
- North of Ireland Paper Mill Co
- Northern Dairies
- Northern Ireland Spinners
- Ormeau Bakery
- Peter England
- Pritchitt Foods
- Regency Spinners / Carpets
- Rolls Royce
- Rotary Electric
- Rothmans
- SCA Packaging
- STC Telecommunications
- Saintfield Mill / Yarns
- Short Bros. PLC
- Siemens
- Spence Bryson Carpets
- Sunblest Bakery
- TK/ECC/Fisher Body Ltd.
- Tir Oen Ltd.
- Translink
- Turner Brothers
- UK Optical Co Ltd
- Ulster Carpet Mills
- Ulster Hosiery
- Ulster Transport Authority
- William Baird Textiles
- William Coates and Sons
- Wrightbus
Contact Boyd Rice Solicitors immediately if you worked in a noisy environment and are now suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus. We will then set up a free hearing test and consultation.
How Much is Your Hearing Loss Claim Worth?
Noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus can either have a minimal effect on your daily life or it can have a debilitating effect.The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the noise damage that has been caused to your hearing. Each case is different and different factors will be taken into account.
Below you see estimated hearing loss compensation amounts, applicable in Northern Ireland. We would be able to provide you with a more precise figure once our medical expert carries out their examination.
| Total Deafness and Loss of Speech or Gross Impairment of Speech | £350,000 – £625,000 |
| Total Deafness | £250,000 – £350,000 |
| Total Loss of Hearing in One Ear | £50,000 – £100,000 |
| Hearing Loss | |
| Severe hearing loss | £60,000 – £200,000 |
| Moderate hearing loss | £20,000 – £60,000 |
| Mild hearing loss | Up to £20,000 |
| Tinnitus | |
| Severe tinnitus | £40,000 – £90,000 |
| Moderate tinnitus | £20,000 – £40,000 |
| Mild tinnitus | Up to £20,000 |
*Please note that the figures below are a guide and are not to be applied rigidly. Each case will be determined on its own merits and there may be factors in each case that reduce or even perhaps increase the amount of compensation you receive.
The Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Claim Process
At Boyd Rice Solicitors we always strive to deal with cases in a timely and professional manner. As these cases are quite complex, they do take some time to bring to conclusion however we guarantee to provide you with timely and regular updates.
Our hearing loss claim process follows these straightforward steps:
- Contact Us
Get in touch with Boyd Rice Solicitors and speak to our specialist Harrison Hall who will arrange for an in person or over the phone consultation. - Hearing Test
We will then arrange a free hearing test. - Information Gathering
We will request any medical notes and records and we are also able to request your employment history. - Medical Examination
Once we have collated all the relevant information we will arrange for you to be examined by our ENT Surgeon. - Proceedings and Compensation
We then issue proceedings against your former employers in order to secure the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to.
SPEAK TO OUR SPECIALIST HEARING LOSS CLAIMS SOLICITOR
Specialist Hearing Loss Solicitor
- Harrison recently joined Boyd Rice Solicitors after working for one of Belfast’s leading Defence Litigation Firms.
- He specialises in industrial disease claims, with a focus on Noise Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus claims.
- Harrison has acted on behalf of some of the UK’s largest Insurance Companies.
- His wealth of knowledge and experience, makes him an expert in negotiating fair hearing loss compensation payouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with most personal injury cases in Northern Ireland you have 3 years from the date of the injury or the date of knowledge. The same applies with hearing loss cases in that you have 3 years from the date you became aware that your hearing loss and tinnitus was due to your noisy employment. In certain circumstances exceptions may apply however should you have any doubt please contact us as soon as possible.
Yes, we have successfully brought claims where our clients worked in noisy factories from the 1960s up until the late 2000s.
The longest part of the claim is the information gathering. This is generally because we are relying on other parties. Once however we have had you medically examined and depending on whether or not your employer is disputing the claim, generally speaking a case would be settled in 12 months.
If you were exposed to loud noise during the course of your employment and are now suffering from tinnitus. It is likely that you are also suffering from noise induced hearing loss. This is something that we can determine following your medical assessment.
No, many of our clients don’t use a hearing aid. This however doesn’t mean that they haven’t suffered some damage to their ears.
A claim for hearing loss can be brought by anyone who suffers from hearing loss or tinnitus and this is due to them being employed in a noisy working environment. After receiving a diagnosis you then have 3 years to claim.
