Work-Related Hearing Loss

Loud noise at work can hurt your hearing over time. If you experienced hearing loss as a result of your work, we’re here to help.

Noise exposure at work

In Nova Scotia, the legal limit for noise at work is 85 decibels, averaged over an 8-hour workday. If you have to raise your voice to talk to someone an arm’s length away, the noise is likely at or above the 85 decibel level. Being around noise at or above this level for long periods can damage your hearing. Noise at work often reaches both ears at the same time. Over many years, loud noise can damage hearing in both ears.

What we look at:

• Your exposure to loud noise at work over a period of years.
• A hearing test from a certified audiologist (called an initial audiometric assessment). The test must show your hearing loss has reached a specific level and matches the pattern of noise-induced hearing loss.
• Your employment history in Nova Scotia with covered employers.

What’s covered

If your claim is approved, we cover hearing aids and related hearing services.

Steps to apply

Most claims start with a hearing test. Here’s what to do:

1. Get a hearing test (called an initial audiometric assessment) from a certified audiologist. Tell them it’s for a WCB hearing loss claim and ask them to send us the results. Once we receive the results, we’ll open your claim. WCB pays for this first test. Your clinic can bill us directly.
2. Ask Service Canada for your work history. Do this at the same time that you complete your hearing test. Download this letter template to print and send to Service Canada.
3. Fill out this application form. Keep it until your Service Canada work history arrives.
4. Send us your work history from Service Canada and your completed form together. Send it as a secure message through WCB Online or you can also return it by mail.