Factory noise caused deafness

A Unite member who was exposed to dangerous levels of noise at work for over 25 years developed occupational deafness and tinnitus as a result. The 58-year-old from Loughborough, whose name has not been released, received £9,500 in damages in a union-backed compensation case. His hearing became damaged while working for Brush Electrical Machines from 1986. The firm did not provide workers with hearing protection until 1995, and even then did not enforce wearing it. The affected worker is still with the generator manufacturer in Loughborough. He has suffered from tinnitus for seven years but only became aware of his hearing loss following a routine hearing test at work. He must now wear hearing aids in both ears. Brush Electrical Machines did not admit liability but settled the claim out of court. Annmarie Kilcline from Unite said: 'Hearing loss affects many of our members working in noisy environments and we would urge any members who have been diagnosed with work related hearing problems to get in touch with us immediately.'

• Thompsons Solicitors news release.