Deterioration of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Not Compensable After Discharge
Specialist medical advice indicates that noise-induced (sensori-neural) hearing loss will not continue to deteriorate once exposure to workplace noise has ceased. Accordingly, any deterioration in hearing after the date of discharge cannot be attributed to Defence employment and must arise from other factors such as the ageing process or further exposure to noise in civilian life. Note however that, in appropriate circumstances, deterioration in other forms of hearing loss (eg. conductive deafness) may continue to be related to Defence employment after discharge.
Assessors should bear this specialist medical advice in mind when advising discharging or discharged members about any possible future entitlement to compensation for the permanent impairment of loss of hearing.