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Hearing Loss Claims in Northern Ireland

Paschal O’Hare are expert hearing loss and industrial deafness claims solicitors, helping people in Belfast and across Northern Ireland. Our solicitors have successfully pursued industrial hearing loss claims for over 50 years, ensuring our clients get the compensation they deserve. 

If you suffer from hearing loss as a result of a loud work environment, you could be entitled to make a hearing loss claim. We’re one of the most experienced hearing loss solicitors in Northern Ireland. We understand the law and can provide you with the guidance that you require. Whether you’re in Belfast or anywhere else across Northern Ireland, contact our hearing loss and industrial deafness solicitors today. 

Hearing Loss and Industrial Deafness Solicitors in Northern Ireland

Have you noticed your hearing deteriorate or ringing in your ears (tinnitus) after working in a loud environment? You may be suffering from industrial deafness. Reach out to our solicitors to learn how we could help.  

If noise exceeds 80 decibels or higher, an employer should provide you with ear defence and make every possible effort to reduce excessive sounds. The Health and Safety Executive estimates that 2 million people are at risk of suffering from occupational deafness in the future due to noise levels at work.

In the past, many companies, being a product of their time, failed to provide employees with the means to protect their hearing. Fortunately, it’s still possible to claim for compensation despite the lack of health and safety laws during times gone by.

If you need to make a claim, your first step is to get in touch with Paschal O’Hare Personal Injury Solicitors. Our friendly solicitors working out of Belfast, Glengormley and Carrickfergus will take care of the hearing loss claims for you.

Paschal O’Hare Solicitors helped thousands make hearing loss claims across Northern Ireland

Our hearing loss solicitors have provided assistance to numerous individuals affected by hearing loss, pursuing claims against companies such as:

  • Standard Telephone (Nortel)
  • Adria
  • Desmond & Sons
  • Harland and Wolff
  • Gallaher Ltd
  • Royal Mail
  • BT
  • Caterpillar (NI) Ltd.
  • Vision
  • Ministry of Defence

These are just a few examples among many. We have helped countless people across Northern Ireland and we’re confident we can help you as well. Don’t suffer as a result of your employer’s negligence. Reach out to our team today. 

What is Industrial Deafness or Noise Induced Hearing Loss?

Industrial deafness, which can also be known as occupational deafness and noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), is caused by the noise in the workplace and can lead to hearing loss. It may be temporary or, in some circumstances, it may lead to permanent hearing loss.

Consistent exposure over a period of time may lead to hearing loss, which may be temporary or in some circumstances it may lead to permanent hearing loss. Hearing impairment can begin with tinnitus, which is running in your ears. Often, symptoms do not emerge until years after exposure. 

We are industrial deafness experts. If you have any questions about making a noise induced hearing loss claim, contact our solicitors today. We’re ready to help.

Causes of Industrial Hearing Loss in Northern Ireland

Prolonged exposure to hazardous noise levels has left a long-lasting mark on Northern Ireland. For decades, inadequate hearing protection in local shipyards, factories, construction sites and other industrial workplaces contributed to permanent hearing damage among employees. The scale of this preventable hearing loss reveals the unacceptable impact of negligent employers.

Throughout the 20th century, noise-induced hearing loss affected thousands of Northern Irish people across many different sectors. Whether people were working at the Harland and Wolff shipyard or operating machinery in manufacturing plants like Adria, workers faced exceedingly loud noise for hours on end. Yet, few were provided adequate ear protection by their employers. Gradually, this daily noise bombardment takes its toll. The steady destruction of the delicate inner ear structures by excessive noise levels typically continued for years before detection. By then, the hearing loss and perpetual ringing ears can be permanent. 

The tragic prevalence of preventable hearing loss from negligence highlights the need for greater corporate responsibility. We believe that employers must be held accountable for failing to protect employees from recognised hazards. There are many ways to obtain rightful compensation for those individuals and families scarred by industrial deafness. But the best way to do so is by reaching out to our hearing loss solicitors in Belfast, Glengormley, and Carrickfergus. With our experienced legal guidance, you can get the compensation you deserve. 

Jobs in Northern Ireland that could result in noise induced hearing loss

There are a multitude of noisy jobs in Northern Ireland that could lead to noise induced hearing loss. If your work environment has noise levels above 80 decibels, and your employer fails to provide you with adequate ear protection, you may suffer hearing loss. People at rise of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) include:

  • Factory workers
  • Construction workers
  • Farm workers
  • Airline workers
  • Factory workers
  • Shipyard workers
  • Textile workers
  • Engineers
  • Mechanics
  • Miners
  • Rail workers

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. If you suffer noise induced hearing loss and need to speak with a solicitor, contact us today or visit our offices in Belfast, Glengormley, and Carrickfergus. 

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is typically described as a ringing in the ears but it also can sound like hissing or buzzing. You might hear it in one or both ears. It can develop over time after being exposed to a loud work environment. In these circumstances, the tinnitus is classed as noise-induced hearing loss.

installing a hearing aid in order to claim hearing loss compensation

What are symptoms of industrial deafness?

Have you worked in a loud environment and now find it difficult to understand when people are speaking to you? Perhaps you have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds? You may be suffering from industrial deafness.

Common symptoms of industrial deafness include:

  • Reduction in hearing
  • Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)

If you are displaying these symptoms, you should make sure to speak with a doctor. 

How does the hearing claims process work in Northern Ireland?

The steps involved in making a hearing loss claim are typically as follows:

  1. Contact our hearing loss solicitors if you’ve been diagnosed with noise induced hearing loss during the last three years.
  2. Our solicitors will begin gathering information including arranging a medical examination for you.
  3. We will advise you on the best course of action and any potential compensation you might be eligible for once all relevant evidence has been obtained.
  4. Then, in most cases, our solicitors negotiate a settlement with an insurance company.
  5. You receive compensation for your injuries. 

Please feel free to contact our expert solicitors if you have any questions concerning the hearing loss claims process. We’re happy to walk you through the whole process in detail. 

How long will my industrial deafness claim take?

The length of time your industrial deafness claim takes is dependent on the complexity of the injury. Our expert industrial deafness solicitors would send you to be examined by a physician to determine the extent of your injuries. After this, our solicitors would be able to advise you on the length of time your claim would take. 

How much hearing loss compensation could I receive?

The amount of hearing loss compensation you should receive is tied closely with the severity of the injury. Our website features a useful compensation calculator that provides some general guidance. It is always best to speak with one of our solicitors or visit our office in Belfast, Glengormley and Carrickfergus in order to get more information. 

How do I make a hearing loss claim in Belfast and Northern Ireland?

Our solicitors make the entire hearing loss claims process as effortless as possible. We are experts that will explain how your claim will work and guide you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on our client care and will ensure that you receive the best legal service available in Northern Ireland. 

Our solicitors have an impressive track record of success in dealing with claims for industrial deafness and noise induced hearing loss. Recently, we have fought and won cases that date as far back as the 1960s, despite the perceived complexities of this type of injury.

Trust the firm who have the best reviewed hearing loss solicitors in Northern Ireland. If you or someone you know suffers from hearing loss as a result of a loud work environment, contact our industrial deafness solicitors today. We are here to guide you through the claims process and ensure you receive the noise induced hearing loss compensation you deserve. 



Seymour major solicitor specialising in injury claims

Seymour Major

“We understand the difficulties associated with hearing loss. We are here to give you the support you need and ensure you get the hearing loss compensation that you deserve. ”

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Hearing Loss Claims in Belfast & Northern Ireland FAQs

A hearing loss personal injury claim may be brought by anyone who has suffered hearing loss due to the carelessness or wrongdoing of another.

After receiving a diagnosis of tinnitus or noise-induced hearing loss, you have up to three years to make a hearing loss claim. Please note that you may be eligible for compensation even if the harm to your hearing was done many years ago. 

Many people don’t appreciate that their hearing loss is caused by their employment. You should speak with one of our solicitors to explore this link and see whether you’re owed compensation. 

Our expert solicitors are able to pursue historical claims where the employer or firm is no longer in operation. Through the resources available to us, we will be able to determine the relevant insurer. We have had 50 years of experience pursuing claims against these types of companies and we’re happy to walk you through the whole claims process.

You will need to present proof to support your hearing loss claim. This can will medical records. You can compile and present the essential evidence to support your claim with the assistance of one of our experienced solicitors.

It is important that you speak with a medical professional as soon as you start to see a decline in your hearing. The NHS takes hearing loss seriously and they’ll be able to accurately determine any damage you suffered. You should then speak with a personal injury solicitor to see the options available to you. At first instance, we will send you to have your hearing thoroughly tested by a medical professional.

No, you don’t need to use a hearing aid to make a hearing loss claim in Northern Ireland. Reach out to our solicitors if you have any questions. We will be able to guide you through the entire claims process.