Hearing loss and tinnitus can be life-changing, affecting communication, employment, balance, and mental wellbeing. In Northern Ireland, many people bring hearing loss compensation claims after suffering noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in unsafe working environments.
If your employer failed to protect your hearing, you may be entitled to significant compensation. This guide explains how much you could receive, based on the official Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases in Northern Ireland (the “Green Book”), which courts use to assess damages.
Deafness and Tinnitus – What Do the Courts Consider?
The term “deafness” covers both total and partial hearing loss. When assessing awards, courts consider:
- Whether the injury amounts to a hearing impairment, disability, or handicap.
- Whether it developed suddenly (e.g. an accident) or gradually (e.g. industrial noise exposure).
- Whether the hearing loss began at an early age (affecting speech) or later in life.
- Whether balance has also been affected.
How Much Compensation for Hearing Loss in Northern Ireland?
Following on from our Guide to Hearing Loss Claims the actual level of compensation due to you depends on the severity of the hearing loss or tinnitus. We gave one example of a 2025 case involving hearing loss in our recent blog where the judge assessed General Damages at £30,000.00.
The Green Book guideline ranges are:
- Total Deafness and Loss of Speech / Gross Impairment of Speech: £350,000 – £625,000
- Total Deafness: £250,000 – £350,000
- Total Loss of Hearing in One Ear: £50,000 – £100,000
- Severe Hearing Loss: £60,000 – £200,000 (upper awards are for cases approaching total deafness)
- Moderate Hearing Loss: £20,000 – £60,000
- Mild Hearing Loss: Up to £20,000
Tinnitus Compensation
Tinnitus is often claimed alongside deafness. Courts take care to avoid double compensation, but guideline awards are:
- Severe Tinnitus: £40,000 – £90,000
- Moderate Tinnitus: £20,000 – £40,000
- Mild Tinnitus: Up to £20,000
Special Damages in Hearing Loss Claims
In addition to general damages, you may be entitled to special damages for financial losses, such as:
- Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and future medical treatment
- Past and future loss of earnings
- Care and assistance costs
- Travel and rehabilitation expenses
Time Limits for Hearing Loss Claims in NI
In Northern Ireland, the general rule is that you must bring a hearing loss claim within three years of:
- The date of negligent noise exposure, or
- The date you first realised your hearing loss was linked to your work.
Because hearing problems often develop gradually, the three-year clock typically runs from when your condition was diagnosed or connected to workplace exposure. For example, if you worked in a factory in Derry or Strabane and have only recently discovered that your hearing loss was linked to your work, then you may still be entitled to claim.
Why Choose Lacey Solicitors?
At Lacey Solicitors, we’ve been helping clients across the entire island of Ireland from Cork to Carnlough, and we have built a reputation for trust, results, and ethical legal practice.
With Lacey Solicitors Hearing Loss Lawyers, you benefit from:
-
Experienced personal injury solicitors with offices in Belfast and Dublin
-
100% compensation retained
-
Clear, transparent legal costs
-
A proven track record in hearing loss claims, workplace compensation and more
-
Legal representation tailored to your financial situation
We’re here to provide access to justice — legally, ethically, and effectively.
Start Your Hearing Loss Claim Today
If you are suffering from deafness or tinnitus caused by workplace noise, you may be entitled to claim compensation ranging from £20,000 to over £600,000, depending on severity and impact.
Contact Lacey Solicitors Belfast & Dublin today to start your hearing loss claim. Roisin Cassidy, our dedicated hearing loss solicitor will guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
