Hearing is one of our most important senses, yet it is often taken for granted. It is a complex process that involves the outer, middle,…
Start your tinnitus compensation claim
If you suffer from tinnitus due to an accident or your working conditions, you could be entitled to make a No Win No Fee tinnitus compensation claim.
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Tinnitus Claims
If you’ve been diagnosed with tinnitus caused by excessive noise exposure at work, you may have a valid tinnitus claim. That is because your employer has a duty of care to provide you with a safe environment to work in and to take reasonable steps to prevent harm to your health and well-being.
However, tinnitus is not limited to workplace noise exposure. It can also result from road accidents, criminal assaults and many other incidents. As long as another party is at fault for your hearing loss and tinnitus, they might be liable for compensation.
To find out if you are eligible to make a tinnitus compensation claim on a no win no fee basis, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back. A friendly and experienced solicitor will offer a free consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have.
Key points about tinnitus claims
- Can I make a claim for tinnitus?
You may be able to claim if your tinnitus was caused by exposure to loud noise at work. - Who is at fault?
Employers may be liable if they failed to protect your hearing or provide adequate PPE. - How long do I have?
You normally have 3 years to start a claim from when you first became aware of the condition. - How much can I claim?
Compensation will depend on how the condition affects your hearing, sleep, and quality of life, as well as financial losses. - Will I get a no win, no fee service?
Your solicitor will offer a no win, no fee arrangement – so if they don’t win your claim, you won’t pay a penny.
If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.
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Table of Contents
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a condition that affects hearing and causes symptoms such as ringing, whistling, hissing, buzzing or humming noises when there is no external source producing the sound.
The symptoms of tinnitus can be due to an ear injury, circulatory system problems or exposure to loud noise over an extended period. According to the latest estimates, one in eight adults in the UK lives with persistent tinnitus.
In minor cases, the noises experienced can be slightly uncomfortable and irritating and might improve over time. However, in more severe cases, they can cause significant distress and affect many aspects of your life.
Am I eligible to make a tinnitus compensation claim?
Yes, a claim might be possible if you have been diagnosed with tinnitus and it was caused by someone else’s negligence.
The simplest way to find out if you could make a claim for tinnitus is through a free consultation with a legal adviser. They will ask you a few straightforward questions about your situation to determine if:
- The defendant in your claim owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty by acting negligently.
- Their negligence has caused you to suffer from tinnitus.
Most tinnitus injury claims are related to exposure to unsafe levels of noise at work and other types of employer negligence.
What steps should employers take to prevent tinnitus at work?
Several laws dictate what employers should do to prevent noise-induced hearing damage and protect employees from tinnitus, including:
- The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
Under these regulations and other advice and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), employers have the following duties to protect you from tinnitus, deafness and other forms of hearing damage:
- Assess noise levels by conducting detailed risk assessments.
- Implement safety measures to keep noise below the legal level (80 to 85 decibels).
- Provide earplugs and other personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge.
- Use quieter equipment and machinery.
- Add noise barriers or sound-absorbing materials.
- Establish quiet areas where employees can take regular breaks from the noise.
- Provide appropriate training and education so that staff are fully aware of the risks posed by loud noise in the workplace and how to minimise the dangers caused.
- Regularly monitor the hearing ability of employees by providing health checks.
What is the time limit to claim compensation for tinnitus?
Tinnitus compensation claims are bound by a three-year time limit, starting from:
- The date you were injured, if you had an accident such as a road traffic collision.
- When you receive a medical diagnosis, if tinnitus developed over time or did not become immediately apparent after an accident.
The typical three-year time limit does not apply in the following circumstances:
- If a child has developed tinnitus, they will have until their 21st birthday to start a claim.
- If the claimant is mentally incapable of conducting legal proceedings, a litigation friend can represent them without being bound by a time limit.
- If your injury was due to an assault, there is a two-year time limit to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
- If your tinnitus is related to military service, you have seven years to claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
How do I make a compensation claim for tinnitus?
If you’re considering claiming for tinnitus, the first thing you should do is seek legal advice. If you can proceed with a personal injury claim, they will help you gather evidence to back up this claim and prove that liability lies with your employer or another party, such as:
- Medical records and reports from a hearing specialist, such as an audiologist, confirming your diagnosis and any treatments you received.
- A medical diagnosis of anxiety, depression or another psychological condition you suffered as a result.
- Occupational health reports if there was a formal investigation of noise levels at your workplace.
- Witness statements from colleagues or witnesses to your accident.
- Any correspondence between you and your employer.
- A copy of an accident or police report.
- Videos or photos of the accident scene or your working environment.
- CCTV or dashcam footage, if available.
- Evidence of financial losses and expenses related to your condition, like receipts, invoices or wage slips.
Your solicitor will guide you throughout the claims process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injury and losses.
How much compensation could I claim for tinnitus?
The amount of compensation awarded for tinnitus is judged on a case-by-case basis. It depends very much on the severity of the injury you have sustained and the impact this has had on your life. The compensation you could receive is broken down into two parts:
General damages is an amount based on the pain and suffering caused by your injury and uses guidelines provided by the Judicial College. According to our tinnitus compensation calculator, the recommended level of general damages is:
- Minor tinnitus – up to £7,010.
- Mild tinnitus – up to £14,900.
- Moderate to severe tinnitus – £14,900 to £29,710.
- Severe tinnitus with some partial hearing loss – £29,710 to £45,540.
In addition to this, your solicitor will also look to recover special damages. These are based on any financial losses you have incurred due to your condition. For example, you may have lost earnings from having to take time off work or had to pay for medical treatment such as sound therapy.
Can tinnitus claims be made with a No Win No Fee solicitor?
Yes. You can benefit from a no win no fee service if you have valid grounds to start a tinnitus claim. The solicitors we work with will begin by offering you a free initial case assessment. If you have a fair chance of winning compensation, they will help you claim without asking for any upfront fees.
At the beginning of the claim, you will sign a conditional fee agreement stating that your solicitor will only receive a payment if your claim is successful. Their success fee will be a pre-agreed percentage (a maximum of 25%) of your compensation amount. If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not have to pay them a single penny.
How can tinnitus affect your life?
The impact of tinnitus can vary based on its severity, which is usually classified as mild, severe, or moderate. It can include:
- Quality of life. The constant noise can make it difficult to enjoy hobbies, activities, or social interactions.
- Sleep disturbances. Tinnitus can make it hard to fall or stay asleep, leading to fatigue, irritability, and decreased cognitive function.
- Concentration problems. Difficulty focusing on tasks, work, or conversations can lower productivity and cause frustration.
- Emotional impact. Tinnitus can cause a range of emotional responses, including anxiety, depression, stress, and irritability.
- Social isolation. Some people might avoid social situations or noisy environments due to difficulties in hearing and the emotional strain caused by constant noise.
- Cognitive function. Some individuals with tinnitus report difficulties with memory, problem-solving, and other mental functions.
- Occupational impact. Tinnitus and hearing loss can affect work performance and might also lead to decreased job satisfaction.
- Relationship strain. The condition can affect relationships if communication is affected due to hearing difficulties or emotional distress.
- Physical symptoms. It can sometimes lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue.
Your solicitor will ensure that your claim takes into account the various impacts on your life and that you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Tinnitus diagnosis and treatments
Except for objective tinnitus, doctors cannot detect most types of the condition. Because of this, they will typically diagnose it based on your medical history and a physical examination. Common tests include:
- A hearing exam during which you will sit in a soundproof room wearing earphones and will have to indicate whether you can hear a sound through them.
- Additional tests to determine how well the bones in your ear conduct sound and whether your middle and inner ear function properly.
- Moving your eyes, jaw, neck or other body parts to see if there are any changes in how you perceive tinnitus.
- Imaging tests, like an MRI or CT scan, to rule out any structural issues in the ear or brain that could be contributing to the condition.
- Lab tests to check for anaemia, heart disease or other health issues that might contribute to your symptoms.
There is no cure for tinnitus, but some treatments could help reduce symptoms:
- Sound therapy with white noise machines, hearing aids, or specialised tinnitus maskers to mask or reduce the perception of tinnitus by introducing external sounds.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help individuals manage the emotional distress caused by tinnitus by changing negative thought patterns and providing coping strategies.
- Stress reduction techniques, including mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and yoga, can help manage the emotional aspects associated with the condition.
- Lifestyle changes, such as reducing exposure to loud noises, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
- Some medications may be prescribed to alleviate the associated symptoms, such as anxiety or sleep disturbances.
Common causes of tinnitus and hearing loss
Tinnitus has several potential causes, including exposure to loud noise, certain medications and health conditions, stress and head injuries. However, most tinnitus compensation claims are related to one of the following:
Exposure to excessive noise at work is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. Health and safety laws, such as the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, have been introduced to help protect workers. These regulations have contributed to providing safer working environments within most industries.
However, some employers may cut corners or fail to take sufficient steps to safeguard their workers against the dangers posed by a noisy environment. Under these circumstances, a person is more likely to develop tinnitus and other hearing problems, such as industrial deafness.
Tinnitus can also result from road traffic accidents in one of the following ways:
- Sudden impact noise – The loud, explosive sound of a collision can damage the auditory system and trigger ringing or buzzing in the ears.
- Airbag deployment – Airbags deploy with significant force and noise, which can cause acoustic trauma or aggravate existing tinnitus.
- Head or ear injuries – Direct trauma to the head or ears can damage the inner ear or auditory nerves, leading to tinnitus.
- Whiplash and neck injuries – Rapid and forceful movement of the head and neck can disrupt the delicate structures of the inner ear and affect sound processing.
- Psychological trauma – The stress and anxiety of being involved in a car accident can contribute to the onset or worsening of tinnitus symptoms.
Many other accidents and noisy environments can affect the delicate structures of your inner ear and cause ringing. If a third party caused your condition through negligence or wrongdoing, you might be able to start a tinnitus claim for compensation.
What jobs are most at risk of work-related tinnitus?
Jobs and industries that involve regular exposure to loud noises are particularly prone to tinnitus risk. Some high-risk occupations include:
- Construction and factory workers.
- Aviation and airport personnel.
- Musicians and sound engineers.
- Mining and quarrying workers.
- Military personnel.
- Agriculture and manufacturing workers.
- Mechanics.
- Road maintenance workers.
People who work in call centres using headsets are also at risk of acoustic shock, a sudden burst of high-frequency noise, which often leads to the development of tinnitus.
Could I lose my job if I make a tinnitus claim against my employer?
If you are injured because of your employer’s negligence, you have the legal right to make an accident at work claim. But many people fear that making a work-related tinnitus claim against their employer will put their job at risk.
However, unfair dismissal laws state that your employer cannot treat you differently for claiming. These laws protect you against discrimination and retaliation for asserting your right to compensation if you suffered an injury due to a breach of duty.
If you are dismissed, demoted, bullied or treated in any way differently due to your claim, you could take further legal action at an employment tribunal.
To find out if you can claim compensation for tinnitus, contact us today to speak to a legal adviser. You can call free on 0800 470 0474, or you can enter your details into our online claim form to request a call back.
