Regardless of your job or the duties you perform at work, there is a good chance you need to be able to hear effectively. Because hearing is also critical for your enjoyment of life, suffering from hearing loss is likely to affect virtually everything you do.
Acute hearing loss, also called sudden sensorineural hearing loss, is the loss of the ability to hear in one or both ears. Your loss of hearing may be temporary or permanent.
The symptoms of acute hearing loss
According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, acute hearing loss may come with a variety of symptoms. These symptoms often include one or more of the following:
- Tinnitus, ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears
- A reduction in hearing ability or a complete loss of it
- Inner ear pressure
- Dizziness, nausea or loss of balance
It is important to note that pain is often not present with acute hearing loss. Consequently, if you are experiencing pain, you may have an ear infection or another medical condition that does not relate to your job.
The causes of acute hearing loss
Work-related acute hearing loss may happen for many different reasons. First, a workplace accident may cause damage to your outer or inner ear. Second, if you suffer whiplash or another cervical spine injury at work, your hearing may fail. Finally, a traumatic injury to the part of your brain that controls hearing may cause you to develop acute hearing loss.
Ultimately, if you can prove you have partial or total hearing loss because of your activities at work, you may have a compelling case for workers’ compensation benefits.
