Industrial deafness is the loss of hearing caused by working in a noisy environment over a period of time. It's different to hearing loss that is the result of a single event.

To make an industrial deafness claim, you must:

• provide a work capacity certificate that diagnoses your industrial deafness
• make the claim while you're either:
  • considered a worker under the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (PDF, 1.99 MB)
  • temporarily unemployed, but would normally be considered a worker, or
  • within 12 months of formal retirement.
• have been employed for at least five years in an employment where the noise level was a significant contributing factor to your industrial deafness.

How WorkCover decides your claim

When determining the claim, we'll organise for you to attend a hearing assessment with an audiologist to determine the extent of hearing loss attributable to the work environment. After this, we'll be able to make an offer through a notice of assessment. This outlines the percentage of hearing loss attributable to work plus the lump sum compensation amount.

If your claim is accepted

If your claim for industrial deafness is accepted, you may be entitled to lump sum compensation. You will not be entitled to weekly compensation or reimbursement of medical expenses.

You cannot receive lump sum compensation for the first five per cent hearing loss due to the natural diminution of your hearing.

Once your claim has been accepted, you can make a claim every three years from the date the first claim was lodged. The percentage of hearing loss assessed in the first claim will be deducted from the assessment of subsequent claims.

Read more about your industrial deafness claim.