Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) Claim Calculator UK 2025
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases in the UK. If you developed hearing loss from working in a noisy environment without adequate hearing protection, you may have a claim against your employer. Compensation depends on the severity of loss and the impact on your daily life. This calculator estimates your claim and checks the time limit.
NIHL time limit: 3 years from date of knowledge (not date of exposure). Employer duties under Control of Noise at Work Regs 2005: action levels 80/85 dB(A). Most NIHL claims are taken No Win No Fee. Audiogram evidence is essential. Hearing protection failure is the most common employer breach. Old employers and their insurers remain traceable years later.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
These regulations replaced the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 and implement the EU Physical Agents (Noise) Directive. Key employer duties:
| Exposure level | Employer duty |
|---|---|
| Above 80 dB(A) daily average | Assess risk, provide hearing protection on request, provide information and training |
| Above 85 dB(A) daily average | Provide and ensure use of hearing protection, establish hearing protection zones, health surveillance |
| 87 dB(A) (limit, accounting for PPE) | Must never be exceeded at worker’s ear |
The regulations applied from April 2006 in most sectors (January 2008 for music and entertainment). For claims based on exposure before these dates, the old 1989 Regulations apply (action levels were higher at 85 and 90 dB). Pre-1989 claims are assessed under common law negligence and any industry-specific guidance applicable at the time.
NIHL Awards — Judicial College Guidelines
| Injury | Typical award range |
|---|---|
| Mild tinnitus and/or slight hearing loss | £6,500 – £12,000 |
| Noise-induced hearing loss (moderate) | £12,000 – £25,000 |
| Hearing loss with significant tinnitus | £25,000 – £45,000 |
| Severe hearing loss with severe tinnitus | £45,000 – £90,000 |
| Total deafness (one ear) | £31,000 – £45,000 |
Historical Liability — Old Employers
NIHL claims can be brought against employers who no longer exist. Under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, employers who ceased trading decades ago may still have insurers who can be traced. The Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) database holds records of old EL policies. Specialist NIHL solicitors are expert at tracing insurers — this is a routine part of occupational disease practice and should not put you off making a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Even where hearing protection was available, if it was not consistently enforced, not properly fitted, or not adequate for the noise levels, the employer may still be partially liable. Courts assess contributory negligence — if you are found partly at fault for not wearing protection when it was available, your damages may be reduced. But this rarely defeats a claim entirely, particularly in industries where ear plug use was not firmly enforced.
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) typically follows a different audiometric pattern from noise-induced hearing loss. An expert audiologist or ENT surgeon can examine your audiogram and give an opinion on whether the pattern is consistent with noise exposure versus ageing. Courts regularly deal with cases involving both factors — the approach is to calculate the proportion of loss attributable to noise and apportion damages accordingly.