Suffering From Hearing Loss? You Could Be Owed Thousands.
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases in Scotland. Workers across heavy industry — construction, shipbuilding, engineering, manufacturing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, and the military — have been exposed to damaging levels of noise for generations, often without adequate hearing protection or noise control measures.
The damage is cumulative and irreversible. Once the hair cells in the cochlea are destroyed by excessive noise, they do not regenerate. Many workers only realise the extent of their hearing loss when they retire and can no longer function in everyday situations — struggling to follow conversations, needing the television volume uncomfortably loud, or experiencing constant tinnitus that disrupts sleep and concentration.
Scottish Claims Helpline handles industrial deafness claims across Scotland on a no win no fee basis. There is no financial risk to you.
How Much Could You Receive?
| Severity | Typical Award |
|---|
| Total deafness and severe tinnitus | £42,730 - £82,030 |
| Severe bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus | £14,900 - £42,730 |
| Moderate hearing loss with some tinnitus | £6,970 - £14,900 |
| Mild hearing loss | £6,970 - £11,290 |
| Tinnitus alone (severe) | £14,900 - £27,890 |
| Tinnitus alone (moderate) | £6,970 - £14,900 |
Based on Judicial College Guidelines for general damages (pain, suffering and loss of amenity).
That’s not all. Most industrial deafness claimants also receive special damages for the cost of hearing aids (including future replacements and batteries), lost earnings where hearing loss forced early retirement or job change, and expenses associated with the condition. Where multiple employers are responsible, claims can be brought against all of them proportionately.
Who Can Claim?
Any worker who has developed hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of excessive workplace noise can claim. This includes workers in construction, shipbuilding, steel manufacturing, engineering, textile mills, mining, quarrying, the oil and gas industry, music and entertainment, printing, and the armed forces. Claims can be brought against former employers who have ceased trading, through their employers’ liability insurers. Where you worked for multiple noisy employers, claims can be apportioned between them.
Industrial Deafness Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Industrial deafness compensation under the Judicial College Guidelines ranges from £6,970 for mild hearing loss to £82,030 for total deafness and severe tinnitus. Moderate bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus typically attracts £14,900–£42,730. Special damages for hearing aids, loss of earnings and associated costs are paid on top.
Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by prolonged exposure to excessive noise at work, typically above 85 decibels over an 8-hour working day. Common industries include construction, shipbuilding, engineering, manufacturing, mining, quarrying and the military. The damage is cumulative and irreversible — once the hair cells in the inner ear are destroyed, they do not regenerate.
Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing or hissing sound in the ears with no external source. It frequently accompanies noise-induced hearing loss. Yes, tinnitus is compensatable and its severity significantly affects the value of a claim, particularly where it causes sleep disturbance, concentration difficulties and psychological distress. Severe tinnitus alone is valued at £14,900–£27,890.
3 years from the date of knowledge under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. The date of knowledge is when you first knew or should have known that your hearing loss was caused by occupational noise exposure. This is often the date of a formal audiometric diagnosis linking your hearing loss to workplace noise. Contact us as soon as possible.
Employers must comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, which require noise risk assessments, exposure monitoring, provision of hearing protection, health surveillance, and reduction of noise at source where reasonably practicable. The lower exposure action value is 80 dB(A) and the upper value is 85 dB(A). Before 2005, earlier noise regulations also applied.
Yes. Employers’ liability insurance policies can be traced through the ELTO database and claimed against even if the employer ceased trading decades ago. Where multiple employers are responsible for your noise exposure, claims can be brought against all of them proportionately.
How Do I Start My Claim?
It takes 2 minutes. Fill in our short form and one of our specialist Scottish solicitors will call you back at a time that suits. They will listen to what happened, tell you straight away if you have a claim, and explain exactly how much you could receive — all completely free and with no obligation. If you decide to go ahead, everything is handled for you on a no win no fee basis from start to finish. You pay nothing unless you win.
About this page: Written by the Scottish Claims Helpline editorial team. Reviewed by a qualified Scottish solicitor. Last reviewed February 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381).