Hearing loss claims can be extremely helpful to those who are living with the fallout of an accident that wasn’t their fault. If you are looking for insight into why and how personal injury claims work, we have the key facts that may help you decide whether to move forward.
Important Points
- Around 1 in 6 people in the UK has some form of hearing loss, according to a 2020 report from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
- According to the same report, hearing loss doubles the risk of developing depression and increases the risk of anxiety.
- Many types of injuries can lead to hearing loss, including blunt trauma to the head caused by falls.
- There were an estimated 12,000 cases of work-related hearing issues between 2021/22 and 2023/24.
- Your potential compensation can cover the financial losses associated with the injury, such as payments for sign language classes.
If you’d like to learn more about the process of claiming compensation, please reach out to an advisor. They provide a 24/7, no-obligation advice service and may be able to connect you to an experienced solicitor from our panel on a No Win No Fee basis. You can get started today via one of the following options:
- Make an online enquiry.
- Ring us on 0800 4087 825
- Chat to us using the live pop-up in the corner
Jump To A Section
- Can I Make A Hearing Loss Claim?
- What Hearing Loss Compensation Could I Be Entitled To?
- What Accidents Could Lead To Hearing Loss Or Deafness?
- How To Make Deafness Or Hearing Loss Claims
- The Time Limits For Deafness And Hearing Loss Claims
- Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim For Hearing Loss?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Information
Can I Make A Hearing Loss Claim?
You can make a hearing loss claim if the following criteria apply:
- A party owed a duty of care to you
- They did not fulfil this duty
- This meant that you suffered an injury, in this case, hearing loss
There are many situations where a third party owes a duty of care to you. Essentially, this term is used to describe the responsibility of an organisation or person to protect the safety and well-being of others.
You may not feel sure what kind of duty of care applies in your specific situation. We have provided some common examples later in this guide to help with this.
Can I Make A Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One’s Loss Of Hearing?
Yes, by acting as a litigation friend, you can make a claim on behalf of a loved one’s loss of hearing. This role is used in cases where the impacted individual is either below the age of 18 or mentally incapacitated, as neither group can pursue compensation on their own.
As a litigation friend, you would be responsible for performing various duties for your loved one’s case, including communicating with the solicitor. You would also be expected to keep them as informed as possible about their claim.
You are welcome to contact our team of advisors at your earliest convenience. They will determine whether you are eligible to make a claim, either for yourself or someone else, and provide more tailored insight about how the process works.
What Hearing Loss Compensation Could I Be Entitled To?
The hearing loss compensation you might be entitled to will depend on the individual circumstances of your case. All successful hearing loss claims include general damages. This is a part of the compensation that accounts for the suffering and pain associated with the injuries. It can also cover the future effects of your injuries and any impact on your quality of life.
When evaluating general damages, solicitors often read the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document provides compensation guideline brackets for various severities and types of injuries, including hearing loss.
You can read some of the JCG brackets in our table below. However, since they are only suggestive, you should not consider them as a guarantee of hearing loss compensation. Your potential compensation will need to account for several complex factors, which a generalised guideline bracket cannot account for. Please also note that the lead figure in the following table did not come from the JCG.
| Type of Injury | Severity | Compensation Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple severe injuries with financial losses, such as occupational therapy | Severe | Up to £350,000+ |
| Deafness | Total deafness | £110,750 - £133,810 |
| Total loss of hearing in 1 ear | £38,210 - £55,570 | |
| Tinnitus and/or partial hearing loss (i) | £36,260 - £55,570 | |
| Tinnitus and/or partial hearing loss (ii) | £18,180 - £36,260 | |
| Tinnitus and/or partial hearing loss (iii) | £15,370 - £18,180 | |
| Tinnitus and/or partial hearing loss (iv) | Around £14,300 | |
| Tinnitus and/or partial hearing loss (v) | £8,890 - £15,370 | |
| Tinnitus and/or partial hearing loss (vi) | Up to £8,560 |
Can I Claim For The Psychological Impacts Of Hearing Loss?
Yes, you can claim for the psychological impacts of hearing loss in the same way that you can seek compensation for the physical effects. Losing your hearing can be an extremely isolating experience, and it is common for those affected to develop depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems.
What Other Factors Will Impact Hearing Loss Compensation?
One of the other factors that may impact your hearing loss compensation is special damages, which can be awarded if your injury has had a financial impact. These losses may include:
- Medical bills: You may seek private treatment to see if you can recover some of your hearing via procedures like a tympanoplasty
- Specialist equipment: This can encompass cochlear implants and hearing aids
- Travel: These expenses will have been accumulated from going back and forth to medical appointments
- Home adjustments: For example, you may have installed hearing loops or placed assistive technology around your house
- Care expenses: Some claimants need to hire a professional caregiver to assist them with certain tasks
- Other support: Sign language lessons, counselling, and occupational therapy can all be necessary for people living with hearing loss
You will be required to submit evidence in order to claim compensation for these and any other out-of-pocket expenses. You can do this by using documentation like bank statements, invoices, or receipts.
If you’re not sure about the different factors that might be considered as part of a compensation claim, contact our advisors today. As part of our free case assessment service, our advisory team can outline the various factors that may be considered when calculating your potential compensation. There is no obligation to claim after using this service, so why not get in touch?
What Accidents Could Lead To Hearing Loss Or Deafness?
Several types of accidents could lead to hearing loss or deafness claims. In this section, we will outline some key examples for you.
Road Traffic Accidents
Firstly, our solicitors handle road traffic accident claims. Everyone on the road has a responsibility to act in a way that avoids both injury and damage to one another and themselves. This duty of care also requires people to follow the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988.
You could meet the eligibility requirements to make a claim for hearing loss compensation in the following circumstances:
- While driving on the road, you come to a junction. Another driver pulls out at the junction without looking and hits the side of your car. Due to this collision, you strike your head against the window, resulting in you losing the ability to hear in your right ear.
Workplace Accident Claims
Another type of personal injury claim covers accidents in the workplace. Your employer is required to take reasonable steps to not only ensure your safety, but also protect your well-being and health. This duty of care is outlined in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
An accident at work claim might be valid under the following circumstances:
- Your employer fails to perform regular checks on the machinery in the factory where you work. One of the machines explodes while you are using it, perforating your eardrum and causing you to lose your hearing for several months.
Public Liability Claims
Our panel of solicitors also take on public liability claims. When you are in a public space, the person in charge of the area owes you a duty of care under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. This person is referred to as the occupier, who must take practical steps to ensure your reasonable safety as a visitor.
Below is an example of when you may be able to start a public liability claim:
- You enter a cafe and slip on the wet floor that hasn’t been marked with warning signs. As a result, you fall and knock your head on the counter. The injury permanently affects your ability to hear.
If you have any questions about the various hearing loss claims our solicitors handle, please contact our advisors today. They will outline the process in further detail and explain whether you can proceed.
How To Make Deafness Or Hearing Loss Claims
To make deafness or hearing loss claims, evidence must be gathered that substantiates how a third party breached their duty of care and caused someone’s injuries. This evidence must also show the extent of the harm you have suffered, together with any long-term impact.
Valid forms of evidence include:
- A copy of your medical information: This is often helpful when proving the psychological and physical impact of the accident
- Details of a police report: Not all incidents will be reported to the police; however, this is common in road traffic accident cases
- A copy of an accident report: Usually, this will apply to accidents in a public setting or place of work
- Contact information of someone who saw the incident: Our panel of solicitors can contact witnesses and take their statements
- Road user details: You’ll need the other party’s contact information if you suffered hearing loss due to a road accident. Be sure to also get their insurance, registration, and vehicle details, if applicable
- Photos of your injuries: Only applies if you can see the damage to the ear
- Videos of the incident: You may be able to request CCTV footage that will strengthen your case.
If you’re unsure what evidence you can provide, consider contacting an advisor today. They can further explain what proof might be necessary and outline how our solicitors could assist you in obtaining it.
The Time Limits For Deafness And Hearing Loss Claims
For most deafness and hearing loss claims, the time limit for filing a case is typically 3 years. This will usually apply from the date of the incident, as established by the Limitation Act 1980.
However, there are instances where the time limit does not apply in the same manner. As we’ve already discussed, children and mentally incapacitated adults cannot make a claim for themselves.
Under such circumstances, the 3-year limitation period may only begin from:
- The date of a claimant’s 18th birthday
- The date on which an adult regains mental capacity (if such a recovery happens)
While time limits are on hold, another person can act as a litigation friend to help someone claim during this period. You can learn more about this role by referring to our earlier section on claiming for loved ones.
Please speak with an advisor to find out how the time limit applies to you and whether you can make a claim for compensation.
Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim For Hearing Loss?
You can make a No Win No Fee claim for hearing loss through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This offers the great benefit of not needing to pay a solicitor’s fee:
- Before the start of your personal injury claim
- While the case is being reviewed
- If you do not receive hearing loss compensation
However, in the event that compensation is given to you, a success fee will be taken. This is the percentage of the compensation that you owe to your solicitor for their work. A binding cap is in place to limit this percentage, so you can rest assured that the largest share of the compensation will stay with you.
You may also wish to work with a solicitor from our panel in order to access these high-quality services:
- Assistance with the collection of evidence, which will strengthen your chances of success
- Negotiating the amount of compensation owed so that it fairly reflects what you’ve endured
- Handling all correspondence with the defending party on your behalf in a professional manner
- Putting you in touch with whatever specialist support you might want
Contact Our Advisors
You should contact our team of friendly advisors today to find out whether you qualify for the representation of a solicitor from our panel. There are no strings attached, and our 24/7 advisory service ensures you can get a prompt response to any question you might have about making a hearing loss claim.
- Make an online enquiry.
- Ring on 0800 4087 825
- Chat to us using the live pop-up in the corner
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep reading for answers to some of the frequently asked questions many people have about hearing loss claims.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hearing Loss?
The common symptoms of hearing loss include struggling to understand what others are saying, needing people to repeat themselves, and feeling tired due to the concentration required when listening.
What Are The Different Types Of Hearing Loss
The different types of hearing loss include sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
How Long Will It Take To Get My Hearing Loss Compensation?
The time it takes to get your hearing loss compensation depends on several unique factors, including what evidence is required and whether the defendant admits liability.
Will I Need To Go To Court For A Hearing Loss Or Deafness Claim?
It is unlikely that you will need to go to court for a hearing loss or deafness claim, as most are settled before a hearing might be required.
More Information
You can read our other personal injury guides below:
- Find out how to seek compensation for an eye injury
- Read our guide on brain injury claims
- Visit our guide on claiming compensation for a broken nose
External resources:
- Learn whether you could claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Read about assessing hearing loss from the British Medical Journal (BMJ)
- Read the government’s hearing loss across the life course
Thank you for taking the time to read our guide on hearing loss claims.