Acoustic shock news
20/09/2010

Newcastle worker's deafness claim win

A call centre worker from Newcastle has secured compensation for acoustic shock after she developed the hearing loss condition as a result of several years working with headsets.

Acoustic shock is defined as "any temporary or permanent disturbance of the functioning of the ear, or of the nervous system, which may be caused to the user of a telephone earphone by a sudden sharp rise in the acoustic pressure produced by it".

It is reported that the 34-year-old developed the condition after complaining several times over the course of 16-months of so-called high-decibel "aural glitches".

However, the woman's employer failed to take remedial action, even at one point suggesting that the glitches were "par for the course".

When the woman's partner became concerned about her hearing, she sought specialist medical advice and discovered that she had significant and permanent hearing loss in both ears.

She then instructed a no-win, no-fee solicitor to proceed with a claim for damages.

The precise size of the deafness compensation payout awarded the call centre worker is, on condition of settlement, undisclosed. However, it is thought to be a five-figure sum.

A spokesperson with Accident Compensation People's acoustic shock claims team comments, "Cases like this illustrate the necessity of protecting workers' hearing. Failure to do so may result in employers being found liable for hearing loss claims."