Many workers in the building trades cannot avoid exposure to hazardous occupational noise. Working all day at a construction site with loud machinery and vehicles can take a toll on the human ear. Even though many workers wear ear protection, wearing it all the time is simply not possible. Workers frequently have to take off the ear protection in order to be able to hear co-workers, communicate on two-way radios, and listen for back-up and emergency alarms.
For these reasons, many workers in the building trades suffer work-related hearing loss. Many of those same workers, however, do not know that they may be entitled to a significant amount of workers' compensation benefits simply because they suffer from work-related hearing loss. It is not uncommon for a worker who has suffered a work-related hearing loss to be entitled to between $20,000 and $100,000, or more, in benefits.
If you undergo a hearing test and your hearing loss is 10% or greater, you should tell your employer right away that you believe you have suffered a work-related hearing loss. If you do not, your claim for hearing loss benefits may be forever barred.
Even if you have not told your employer of your hearing loss, however, you may still be entitled to hearing loss benefits. While treating a patient, an ear doctor often does not advise his or her patient whether the patient's hearing loss is work-related. If you underwent a hearing test years ago but have never told your employer you believe your hearing loss is work-related, you should contact our law firm immediately at 412-288-6000 to find out if you are entitled to hearing loss benefits.
Joshua Bloom 
Jonathan Colton 