Hearing Loss Not Significant Enough to Qualify for Workers? Comp

A paper mill worker exposed to hazardous noise levels for 9 years was denied workers’ comp for hearing loss. The audiogram report showed a total decibel loss of 75 in the right ear and 120 in the left ear’not enough to meet the recognized AMA thresholds for noise-induced hearing loss required under the WCB’s coverage policy. The worker appealed but his claim fell on deaf ears. While declaring its ‘great sympathy’ for the worker and acknowledging his need for a costly hearing aid, the Tribunal upheld the decision to deny him benefits for not meeting the AMA decibel thresholds for coverage of noise-induced hearing loss [2018-278-AD (Re), 2018 CanLII 93122 (NS WCAT), Oct. 3, 2018].