Hearing loss often happens so gradually that you may not realize it. Excessive noise damages tiny sensory cells deep inside the ear. At first, it’s difficult to clearly hear conversations in noisy workplaces, restaurants or sporting events where there is background noise.
Noise can also cause the ears to ring or make sounds seem muffled. Over time, you lose your ability to hear high-pitched sounds, like birds chirping, an alarm clock beeping or a warning signal at work. Eventually, you may become isolated from the people and environments around you.
Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, but it’s also preventable.
Please follow the relevant link below for more information on how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss at your workplace, and how to help those already affected.
As an approved service provider, we know our workers experiencing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are in good hands. And we also know that you know that NIHL is the most common permanent work-related disease in Canada, and that while hearing loss typically happens gradually, the damage is permanent.
Occupational risk factors include long-term exposure to high-intensity noise, acoustic trauma and head injury. Research shows that an average exposure of 85 dBA over the course of a typical workday would result in an 8%* incidence of occupational NIHL after 40 years.
Because hearing loss is so common and irreversible, we continue to look for ways to improve the services we offer and reduce not only the instances of hearing loss but its costs to the workers’ compensation system. The following resources should help answer any questions you may have and help you better serve our clients suffering from hearing loss.
List of WorkSafeNB-Approved Hearing Services Providers
Resources:
If an injured worker requires a new ear mold because it no longer fits after the two-year hearing device warranty expires, WorkSafeNB will remit only once over a subsequent one-year time period an inclusive flat fee payment of $90 per device to the hearing service provider. The hearing service provider must complete and submit WorkSafeNB Form HA-01 – Hearing Aid Fitting and Service Report.
Manufacturer repairs are applicable after the hearing aid device warranty period of two years has expired and an injured worker’s hearing aid device must be sent to the manufacturer because it has died, has internal feedback, is noisy or hissing, requires a circuit or shell change, or does not meet the manufacturer’s electroacoustic specifications.
Hearing services providers will provide an annual supply of batteries. The quantity of batteries supplied, 100 annually per device for size 10 batteries and 60 annually per device for all other battery sizes, must be clearly indicated on the invoice, and the maximum price WorkSafeNB will pay is $1 per battery. Suppliers will be responsible for managing inventory of batteries and tracking batteries dispensed to WorkSafeNB clients.
Suppliers may invoice WorkSafeNB annually for the maximum amount of batteries per client served. WorkSafeNB does not pay for battery supplies that exceed the annual maximum quantity.
The hearing services provider must complete and submit WorkSafeNB Form HA-01-Hearing Aid Fitting and Service Report when supplying batteries.
A hearing test is part of the worker’s application for workers’ compensation benefits. It is required to determine entitlement to compensable occupational noise-induced hearing loss resulting from hazardous noise levels in and out of the workplace, or within a certain specified time from the end of exposure to hazardous noise levels in and out of the workplace. The initial hearing test must be performed by a qualified supplier.
A full diagnostic hearing assessment is not part of the bundled fitting maintenance fee. It may, therefore, be separately invoiced at $100 per worker. WorkSafeNB pays for the initial full diagnostic hearing assessments to determine the injured worker’s hearing loss only when requested by WorkSafeNB. Additional assessments are only considered when pure-tone evaluations indicate a significant change in the injured worker’s hearing loss. A significant change in hearing is defined as a minimum of 20 dB HL in three or more of the octave frequencies between 500 Hz and 4000 Hz.
A full diagnostic hearing assessment must include:
The hearing services provider must complete and send to WorkSafeNB Form HA-01 – Hearing Aid Fitting and Service Report.
A hearing re-evaluation may be performed if the injured worker complains of hearing difficulty and the hearing device has been evaluated to determine that it is programmed appropriately and functioning properly. WorkSafeNB will pay a flat fee of $60 for a hearing re-evaluation.
WorkSafeNB defines the hearing re-evaluation test to include, at minimum:
The hearing services provider must complete and send to WorkSafeNB Form HA-01 – Hearing Aid Fitting and Service Report.
WorkSafeNB expects hearing services providers to maintain detailed, legible assessment and service records related to hearing and hearing aid devices of injured workers. Upon request, the hearing services provider is expected to supply WorkSafeNB with a full copy of the injured worker’s file within five working days to be eligible to invoice WorkSafeNB $50 for this service.
A support clerk with WorkSafeNB’s Intake and Adjudication Department must make the request for a copy of the injured worker’s file. The support clerk will provide a claim number to the hearing services provider at the time of the request.
The hearing services provider must complete and send to WorkSafeNB Form HA-01 – Hearing Aid Fitting and Service Report before their invoice will be paid.
New Brunswick-approved hearing service providers who are approached by injured workers wanting to transfer service, must contact WorkSafeNB’s Intake and Adjudication Department for approval.
WorkSafeNB will replace an injured worker’s hearing aid device only when medically necessary. The minimum replacement time frame is currently every five years.
For new hearing aid devices to be approved, the injured worker’s current hearing aid devices must be proven to be inappropriate.
The hearing service providers must not solicit injured workers for replacement of current hearing aid devices; replacement must be initiated by the injured worker.
Hearing aid devices will not be replaced while under manufacturer or repair warranty without authorization by WorkSafeNB. In these circumstances, hearing services providers must submit WorkSafeNB Form HA-02- Exception Report for approval.
For further inquiries about WorkSafeNB’s Hearing Services program, please call the director of Intake and Adjudication at 506 343-5531, Monday to Friday.
For general enquiries, status of claim, billing and payment, or to speak to a claim manager call 1 800 999-9775.
Imagine not being able to hear your child’s laughter, a cat’s purr, your favourite song or classical music piece, or the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore.
Noise is a serious and widespread problem in many New Brunswick workplaces. Over time, loud noise from machinery, processes, and equipment can cause permanent hearing loss. Of all occupational diseases in New Brunswick, noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) accounts for the highest number of accepted occupational disease claims to WorkSafeNB.
The Internal Responsibility System, on which occupational health and safety across Canada stands, places the responsibility for workplace health and safety on both employers and workers. We are all responsible for our own safety and for the safety of our co-workers.
By working together to control noise exposure, employers and workers can prevent occupational hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible, but it is preventable.
Don’t be among those who end up with hearing loss. Don’t become isolated in a world of silence. Protect your hearing.
If you are having a hearing problem and suspect it could be due to noise exposure at work, c start the claims process by completing and submitting the Application for Benefits - Occupational Hearing Loss to WorkSafeNB and make an appointment with one of our approved hearing services providers.
If your claim is accepted, WorkSafeNB will cover the cost of your hearing aids with one of our approved hearing services providers.
You should also talk to your employer. In New Brunswick, employers must take steps to reduce noise exposure. But you can take preventive measures too. Protect your ears. Wear hearing protection.
For occupational hearing loss claims, complete the Application for Benefits - Occupational Hearing Loss.
Studies have shown that daily exposure to noise levels in excess of 85 dBA over eight hours can cause ear damage. The higher the noise level, the shorter the exposure time required before damage to the ear occurs. For example, working only five minutes with a chainsaw without hearing protection can damage your hearing.
Exposure to noise adds up. Consider all the noise you are exposed to on a given day. For example, if you spent 10 minutes at work using a table saw at 100 dBA without hearing protection and then listened to your personal stereo system for one hour that night at 93 dBA, your total exposure crosses into the unsafe level.
A number of everyday activities can cause exposure to sound levels above 85 dBA. Here are a few examples:
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your workplace may have a noise problem.
If you are having a hearing problem, and suspect it could be due to noise exposure at work, consider making an appointment with one of our approved hearing services providers and completing a Form 67 – Report of accident or occupational disease. Submitting the Form 67 to WorkSafeNB will start the claims process.
List of WorkSafeNB-approved Hearing Services Providers
Forms
Application for Benefits - Occupational Hearing Loss
The following resources can help you protect your hearing:
The Internal Responsibility System, on which occupational health and safety across Canada stands, places the responsibility for workplace health and safety on both employers and workers. We are all responsible for our own safety and for the safety of our co-workers. But, ultimately, as an employer, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, you must take every reasonable precaution to ensure your employees, health and safety and comply with the Act.
Occupational hearing loss claims have been costly to New Brunswick’s workers’ compensation system. And while these costs to our workers’ compensation system are concerning, more importantly hearing loss can be a devastating life-changing impairment. Imagine not being able to hear your child’s laughter, a cat’s purr, your favourite song or classical music piece, or the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore.
Hearing loss is irreversible, but it is preventable. Protect your employees’ hearing. The following resources can help:
For occupational hearing loss claims, complete the Employer Report of Occupational Hearing Loss form.
Studies have shown that daily exposure to noise levels in excess of 85 dBA over eight hours can cause ear damage. The higher the noise level, the shorter the exposure time required before damage to the ear occurs. For example, working only five minutes with a chainsaw without hearing protection can damage your hearing.
Exposure to noise adds up. Consider all the noise you are exposed to on a given day. For example, if you spent 10 minutes at work using a table saw at 100 dBA without hearing protection and then listened to your personal stereo system for one hour that night at 93 dBA, your total exposure crosses into the unsafe level.
A number of everyday activities can cause exposure to sound levels above 85 dBA. Here are a few examples:
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your workplace may have a noise problem.