Effective Date: March 23, 2000
Date Issued: March 23, 2000
Date Approved by Board of Directors: March 16, 2000
Topic: Occupational Hearing Loss - Injuries on or after January 1, 2000
Section: Entitlement
Subsection: Occupational Diseases

Definitions

Noise-Induced Hearing loss
Noise-induced hearing loss means the gradual deterioration of hearing as a result of exposure to hazardous noise over a period of time.

Traumatic Hearing Loss
Traumatic hearing loss means hearing loss caused by trauma (i.e. a loud, sudden explosion, or a blow to the head).

Tinnitus
Tinnitus means a ringing, rushing, buzzing or roaring sound experienced in one or both ears.

Presbycusis
Presbycusis means a loss of hearing as a result of aging.

Policy Statement

1. Noise-induced hearing loss is recognized as an occupational disease and must arise from an industrial process, trade or occupation wherein the noise exposure and hazard is characteristic of or peculiar thereto.

2. Acceptable noise exposure levels shall be determined in accordance with Policy 1.2.6R. Where actual noise levels are unavailable an "estimate" is to be made of the actual level of noise the worker would have been exposed to based on the information obtained from similar industries or types of work.

3. The extent of a worker's hearing loss shall be assessed, evaluated, and rated on the basis of an audiogram, as specifically plotted. Hearing loss levels shall be tested at the four measured frequency levels of 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz.

4. For acceptance of a noise-induced hearing loss claim the audiogram must have a pattern consistent with noise-induced hearing loss.

5. A presbycusis factor of 2 decibels shall be deducted from the decibel sum of the hearing threshold levels of the audiogram (500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz) for each year the worker's age exceeds 60.

6. Medical Aid in the form of a hearing aid shall be provided to a worker for hearing loss in an ear where the decibel sum of the hearing threshold levels of the audiogram (500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz) for the ear is 100 decibels or greater.

7. The existence and degree of a worker's permanent medical impairment rating for noise induced and traumatic hearing loss will be determined using the American Medical Associations “Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment - Fourth Edition” (the “AMA Guides”).

Tinnitus

8.  To establish entitlement to a permanent impairment rating for tinnitus caused by noise- induced hearing loss the following circumstances must apply:

8.1  There is an acceptable claim for occupational noise-induced hearing loss, which means the decibel sum of the hearing threshold levels of the audiogram (500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz) is 100 decibels or greater; and

8.2  There is a clear and adequate history of two or more years of continuous tinnitus.

9.  Claims for tinnitus caused by occupational factors other than noise-induced hearing loss will be judged on their individual merits.

10.  To determine an impairment rating for tinnitus the Board shall use the American Medical Associations “Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment - Fourth Edition” (the “AMA Guides”).

Application

This Policy applies to injuries arising on or after January 1, 2000. This Policy replaces Policy 1.2.5A, approved by the Board on September 3, 1999.

References

Workers' Compensation Act (Chapter 10, Acts of 1994 - 95), (as amended), Sections 2(v), 10, 12, 102. Policy 1.2.6R.

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