Policy Purpose

Permanent hearing loss can be caused either by acute acoustic trauma or prolonged exposure to excessive noise. This policy applies to claims arising from long-term exposure to occupational noise that causes hearing loss. Any permanent partial impairment arising from such exposure will be provided for in the Permanent Impairment Rating Schedule (44.90.10)

Claims arising from instantaneous noise-induced hearing loss resulting from a single exposure at close range are adjudicated in the same manner as other workplace accidents, and, if a permanent impairment results, an award is provided in accordance with the Permanent Impairment Rating Schedule.

The establishment of permanent hearing impairment is modeled on the most recent edition of the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.