NEW CASTLE, PA - Workers who develop hearing loss on the job in Pennsylvania may be entitled to specific loss benefits under the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, including wage compensation for up to 260 weeks and full medical coverage. New Castle workers' compensation attorney Lawrence Kelly of Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. (https://www.lgkg.com/workplace-hearing-loss-pennsylvania/) details how the law defines compensable hearing loss, what benefits are available, and how to file a claim.
According to New Castle workers' compensation attorney Lawrence Kelly, Pennsylvania treats occupational hearing loss as a specific loss under Section 306(c) of the Workers' Compensation Act, codified at 77 P.S. § 513. The percentage of impairment is calculated using the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fourth Edition. To qualify, a worker must have permanent binaural hearing loss exceeding 10 percent as calculated under the statutory formula. "The 10 percent threshold is a firm requirement under the statute," explains Kelly. "Below that level, no specific loss benefits are payable."
New Castle workers' compensation attorney Lawrence Kelly notes that benefits for a successful claim include two-thirds of the worker's average weekly wage for a number of weeks determined by the severity of impairment. For long-term noise exposure cases, the formula multiplies the percentage of binaural hearing loss by 260 weeks. A worker with 30 percent impairment, for example, would be eligible for approximately 78 weeks of benefits. Medical coverage includes audiometric evaluations, prescription hearing aids, replacement batteries, and assistive listening devices when medically necessary. "These benefits are payable regardless of whether the worker continues working," Kelly adds, "because the compensation recognizes permanent impairment."
Attorney Kelly highlights that certain industries carry significantly elevated hearing loss risk. Manufacturing plants throughout Butler County and the greater Pittsburgh region, construction sites, mining operations, and oil and gas extraction facilities all produce sustained noise that can damage hearing over time. OSHA sets the permissible exposure limit at 90 decibels measured as an eight-hour time-weighted average under 29 CFR 1910.95, with an action level of 85 decibels that triggers mandatory hearing conservation programs. Workers in environments consistently exceeding 85 decibels should receive annual audiometric testing and hearing protection at no cost.
The most common form of occupational hearing loss is sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs when noise damages the inner ear or auditory nerve pathways. This type of hearing loss is permanent because the hair cells in the inner ear do not regenerate once destroyed. Conductive hearing loss, involving damage to the outer or middle ear, may be partially treatable. Tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, frequently accompanies sensorineural damage and can significantly affect concentration and quality of life. All three conditions may qualify for workers' compensation benefits in Pennsylvania.
Filing a hearing loss claim involves specific steps. The worker must report hearing concerns to the employer, obtain a medical evaluation using the AMA Guides Fourth Edition specifically, and file a Claim Petition with the Workers' Compensation Office of Adjudication if the insurer does not voluntarily accept the claim. Kelly advises that the three-year statute of limitations for occupational hearing loss generally runs from the date of last exposure to hazardous noise rather than the date symptoms first appeared. "Many doctors use the current edition of the AMA Guides in clinical practice, but Pennsylvania law specifically requires the Fourth Edition for workers' compensation purposes," he notes.
Prevention remains the most effective strategy for protecting hearing on the job. Consistent use of earplugs or earmuffs, annual hearing tests, and prompt reporting of malfunctioning equipment can help preserve hearing throughout a career. Workers whose employers fail to meet OSHA requirements may file a complaint with OSHA or contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation helpline at 1-800-482-2383.
For those who believe their job has contributed to hearing damage, consulting with a workers' compensation attorney familiar with Pennsylvania's hearing loss claim requirements may help avoid common mistakes that lead to denied claims.
About Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C.:
Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. is a New Castle-based law firm dedicated to workers' compensation and personal injury representation. Led by attorneys Lawrence Kelly and Joseph A. George, the firm has served Western Pennsylvania since 1933. The firm has offices in New Castle, Ellwood City, Beaver Falls, Butler, Cranberry Township, and Pittsburgh. For consultations, call (724) 658-8535.
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Phone: (724) 658-8535
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State: Pennsylvania 16101
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Website: https://www.lgkg.com/
