Deafness and Hearing Loss Claims Solicitors

Losing your hearing—whether suddenly or over time—can affect every part of your life. Conversations become harder to follow, background noise feels overwhelming, and everyday moments that once felt simple can leave you feeling isolated or frustrated. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we understand how deeply hearing loss can impact your confidence, work, relationships, and wellbeing.

For more than 20 years, we’ve supported individuals and families in Tallaght and across Dublin who have experienced deafness or significant hearing loss due to workplace exposure, accidents, or failures in medical care. We’ve seen the emotional and practical toll it takes—and we’re here to make sure you’re listened to, supported, and guided every step of the way.

You won’t be passed from person to person. When you contact us, you’ll speak directly with an experienced solicitor who will take the time to understand your situation, explain your options clearly, and help you move forward with confidence.

If you or a loved one is living with hearing loss and believe it could have been prevented, contact us today.

Living with Hearing Loss

Hearing loss changes how you connect with the world—and often, how the world connects with you. For many people in Tallaght and across Dublin, the impact is more than just physical. It’s emotional, social, and deeply personal. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve worked with individuals facing the daily challenges that come with noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and sudden deafness, and we understand just how disruptive it can be.

You might struggle to follow conversations in a busy room, miss key details in meetings, or find that you’re constantly asking people to repeat themselves. Even with hearing aids, background noise can feel overwhelming. Many people begin to avoid social situations altogether—not out of rudeness, but out of fear of misunderstanding or embarrassment.

These day-to-day difficulties often lead to:

Workplaces can become particularly stressful. Mishearing instructions, missing cues in meetings, or being labelled as inattentive can lead to tension or even job loss. Some people find themselves moved into less demanding roles or pushed into early retirement, not because of a lack of skill—but because their hearing loss wasn’t accommodated.

Family life is also affected. Simple things like chatting at the dinner table, helping kids with homework, or enjoying a TV show together become complicated. Children may feel they aren’t being listened to. Partners may begin to shoulder more communication responsibilities without even realising it.

Tinnitus—often described as ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ears—adds another layer of distress. It can disrupt sleep, concentration, and peace of mind, and it often accompanies hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure or acoustic shock.

For many, the need for hearing aids, subtitles, lip-reading, or quiet spaces becomes permanent. This isn’t just inconvenient—it’s expensive and often overlooked. Devices need maintenance. Settings need regular adjustment. Batteries, consultations, and replacements all add up.

If your hearing loss was caused or worsened by someone else’s negligence—an unsafe workplace, a delayed diagnosis, or a sudden loud incident—it’s not just an accident. It’s a breach of your right to health, dignity, and a full life.

At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we make sure your claim reflects every part of that experience—not just the medical report, but the way your life has been changed. We’re here to help you find your voice again.

Recognised Types of Hearing Conditions in Legal Claims

Hearing loss comes in many forms—and not all of them are immediately obvious. Some conditions develop gradually over time, while others strike suddenly after a loud event or medical error. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we understand that each client’s hearing loss is different, and your legal claim should reflect the full extent of your condition, how it developed, and how it affects your life.

Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

This is the most common hearing issue we see in legal claims. NIHL happens when you’re exposed to high levels of noise—usually over 85 decibels—over a sustained period. It’s especially common in construction, factories, aviation, bars, clubs, and farm machinery.

This type of hearing loss doesn’t happen overnight. It often creeps in gradually—your hearing fades so slowly that you might not notice until conversations become difficult, or you realise you can’t hear the kettle boil or birdsong outside.

Tinnitus

Often described as a ringing, buzzing, or whistling sound, tinnitus can range from a mild annoyance to a debilitating condition. It’s frequently linked to loud noise exposure or acoustic shock. Even if your hearing seems mostly intact, tinnitus can make sleep, concentration, and everyday comfort almost impossible.

People with tinnitus often experience:

Difficulty sleeping due to constant sound
Trouble focusing in quiet environments
Emotional distress and mental fatigue

This is a valid and recognised basis for a legal claim—particularly when it interferes with work or daily function.

Acoustic Shock Syndrome

Unlike gradual NIHL, acoustic shock is sudden and traumatic. It usually follows an unexpected, high-pitched noise—such as a headset feedback spike, emergency alert, or machinery malfunction.

Common among call centre staff and emergency services workers, symptoms may include:

Instant ear pain
Hearing distortion or muffled hearing
Tinnitus or hypersensitivity to noise
Headaches and anxiety

Acoustic shock is often downplayed, but it can lead to long-term hearing issues if not addressed.

Partial or Total Deafness

In more serious cases, a person may suffer complete hearing loss in one or both ears—sometimes due to an accident, surgical mistake, or untreated infection. These cases often involve a combination of medical records, ENT reports, and assistive technology assessments.

Understanding what type of hearing loss you’ve experienced is the first step in building a strong claim. We’ll help you document it fully and clearly.

Causes of Preventable Hearing Loss in Ireland

Hearing loss is often seen as an inevitable part of getting older—but that’s not always the case. Across Ireland, many people develop hearing conditions because someone else failed in their duty of care. Whether it’s an unsafe workplace, a poorly maintained headset, or a delayed medical diagnosis, these are preventable causes of deafness—and they may give rise to a legal claim. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve worked with clients across Tallaght and Dublin who’ve been affected by exactly these situations.

Workplace Exposure to Excessive Noise

One of the most common causes of hearing loss claims is unsafe noise levels at work. Employers are legally required to assess risks, limit exposure, and provide protective equipment—especially in roles involving:

Construction and demolition
Metalwork and fabrication
Manufacturing and engineering
Agriculture and forestry
Nightclubs, bars, or live music venues
Aviation ground crews

In many cases, workers spend years operating loud tools or machinery without proper hearing protection. Over time, this constant exposure causes permanent damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear—resulting in gradual but irreversible hearing loss.

We’ve also handled cases where employers failed to rotate workers, ignored Health and Safety Authority (HSA) guidance, or provided ear protection that was defective, inadequate, or never enforced.

Sudden Acoustic Trauma or One-Off Incidents

Hearing loss doesn’t always develop slowly. In some situations, a single event can cause immediate damage—particularly in jobs that involve:

Using headsets (call centres, emergency lines)
Exposure to sirens or alarms (firefighters, paramedics)
Operating faulty machinery or tools
Close-range explosions or sudden pressure bursts

These one-off events can cause “acoustic shock syndrome,” which might lead to instant tinnitus, ear pain, distorted hearing, or long-term hypersensitivity to noise.

In such cases, employers may have failed to properly maintain audio equipment, respond to complaints about headset feedback, or carry out sound checks and volume limits.

Medical Negligence Leading to Hearing Loss

In some claims, the issue isn’t a noisy workplace—but a missed opportunity in medical care. Hearing loss caused or worsened by negligence might include:

Failure to treat ear infections or eardrum perforations
Botched surgery (e.g. sinus or ear operations)
Mismanaged medication that affects hearing (e.g. certain antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs)
Delayed referral to an ENT specialist despite repeated symptoms

We’ve seen cases where patients were reassured that symptoms were “just temporary,” only to later discover permanent hearing loss due to inaction or misdiagnosis.

Environmental and Public Safety Failures

Less commonly, hearing loss can result from:

Fire alarms or building evacuations with unsafe volume levels
Faulty public address systems in shopping centres or transport hubs
School or college equipment emitting unsafe sound levels without warning

In all of these situations, the person or organisation responsible for your safety may be held liable if their failure caused or contributed to your hearing loss.

If your hearing loss didn’t need to happen, the law is there to help. We’re here to make that process clear, supportive, and local to you.

What a Hearing Loss Claim Can Cover

If you’ve suffered hearing loss due to negligence—whether at work, during medical treatment, or after a sudden acoustic trauma—your claim should do more than cover medical bills. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we make sure your case reflects the full impact of hearing loss on your life now and into the future.

This isn’t just about the injury. It’s about the changes you’ve had to make, the challenges you now face, and the support you’ll continue to need.

Hearing Devices and Assistive Technology

Hearing aids and related devices are vital for many clients, but they come with ongoing costs that the HSE doesn’t always cover in full. A well-built claim can include:

If you use amplified phones, visual alert systems, or loop systems at home or work, these can also be factored in.

Workplace Adjustments and Lost Income

Hearing loss can have a major effect on your career. Some clients are moved to less demanding roles, lose confidence in meetings, or leave the workforce entirely due to communication difficulties.

Loss of earnings (past and future)
Missed promotions or early retirement
Costs of retraining or career support
Professional supports such as communication assistants or interpreters
Specialist workplace equipment

We work with vocational experts when needed to estimate long-term financial loss accurately.

Travel and Access Expenses

Attending hearing tests, therapy, or support groups can involve costs that build up over time. Depending on your circumstances, you may also require:

These aren’t luxuries—they’re tools that help you stay connected and independent.

Therapy and Mental Health Support

Tinnitus, sudden hearing loss, and the isolation caused by deafness can all take a toll on your mental wellbeing. Many clients benefit from:

Private counselling or CBT
Support groups for tinnitus sufferers
Cognitive training to adjust to hearing devices
Family therapy to improve communication dynamics
Workplace accessibility barriers that affect job retention

These supports may not be available publicly in a timely way, and your claim can include the cost of accessing them privately.

Support for Carers or Family Members

In some cases, a loved one may need to assist you more—accompanying you to appointments, translating speech, or helping with communication in noisy environments. If this has led to missed work or added responsibilities, we can factor this into your claim. No two hearing loss claims are alike. We focus on your individual needs and fight for a result that helps you move forward with security and dignity.

What You’ll Need to Prove Your Claim

To succeed in a hearing loss claim, it’s not enough to simply show that you’ve lost hearing—you must show how it happened, who was responsible, and what it’s meant for your life. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we help you gather the right evidence and present it clearly, ensuring your case is as strong and well-supported as possible.

Medical Evidence

You’ll need medical confirmation of your hearing loss. This is typically done through:

Audiogramsand hearing tests from an audiologist or ENT specialist
A written diagnosis confirming the cause and extent of the damage
Reports detailing any related conditions, such as tinnitus or acoustic trauma
Recommendations for ongoing treatment or device support

This medical evidence helps establish both the severity of the injury and the likelihood that it’s permanent.

Proof of Exposure or Negligence

We gather documents and records to show where, when, and how the hearing loss occurred. Depending on the type of claim, this might include:

Risk assessments or safety reports from your workplace
Evidence that protective equipment was missing, faulty, or never provided
Logs of complaints or reported incidents
Hospital or GP records showing delays or failings in treatment

Where needed, we also consult independent experts to comment on what should have been done differently.

Statements and Supporting Testimony

Testimonies from co-workers, family members, or friends can help paint a picture of how your hearing loss has changed your daily life. These statements often cover:

The first signs or symptoms
How your hearing has declined over time
The impact on work, relationships, and independence

We’ll help coordinate all of this and ensure it’s properly documented.

Time Limits in Hearing Loss Claims

In Ireland, the general time limit to bring a hearing loss claim is two years from the “date of knowledge.” This means the clock starts ticking from the moment you became aware—or should have become aware—that your hearing loss was linked to negligence.

For many people, especially those with noise-induced hearing loss, this date isn’t straightforward. You may not notice symptoms until years after the exposure has happened. In such cases, the two-year period usually begins on the date of diagnosis or the day a medical professional confirms that your condition is work-related or caused by another party’s failings.

Exceptions to the Rule

Minors:If the person affected is under 18, the two-year limit begins on their 18th birthday.
People lacking mental capacity:There is no time limit in these cases unless mental capacity is regained.

Why Early Advice Matters

The earlier you seek legal guidance, the easier it is to gather strong evidence—medical records, workplace documentation, and expert reports. If you’re unsure whether you’re within the time limit, we’ll advise you honestly and clearly.

Contact John O’Leary Solicitors LLP

If you’re living with hearing loss and believe it could have been prevented—whether through workplace exposure, medical error, or sudden acoustic trauma—it’s important to know where you stand. At John O’Leary Solicitors LLP, we’ve been helping individuals across Tallaght and Dublin for over 20 years with practical, supportive legal advice tailored to their needs.

You’ll speak directly with a solicitor who understands the impact hearing loss has on your life—and who will take the time to guide you through your options with care and clarity.

Contact the us today to start the conversation. We’re here to help.