RINGING IN YOUR EARS?

Well, not exactly...

In fact, the annoying "ringing" that many fire fighters experience is actually generated within their brains, not their ears.

Recent studies have helped to identify the cause^[1] of tinnitus (ringing, buzzing or crackling perceived as sound) as a reorganization of the auditory pathways within the brain.  When excessive exposure to sirens damages the nerve fibers within the cochlea of the ear, the established neurological pathways between the cochlea and the auditory cortex of the brain is altered.  The brain sends out signals in an attempt to reconnect with the no longer functional nerve endings within the cochlea.  These signals are interpreted by the brain as "sound."  However, the ringing, crackling or buzzing has nothing to do with "sound" in the normal sense of the word.  In fact, tinnitus is usually at its worst when the individual is in a completely quiet environment and no actual "sound" is available to mask the tinnitus.  A quiet and peaceful bedroom is often a "nightmare" for a tinnitus sufferer.

TINNITUS AND WORKERS= COMPENSATION

The recognition that tinnitus is a "brain" disorder rather than a "hearing" disorder is very important within the context of workers' compensation litigation.  When tinnitus is classified as an injury to the brain, the permanent disability compensation will be at least four times the amount which would be paid if the same injury was labeled as a unilateral hearing loss.

For example, a 15% disability arising from tinnitus, when labeled as a brain disorder, is compensated at $21,975.  The same injury when labeled as a unilateral hearing disorder, provides a disability benefit of $5,494 for public safety employees and $2,138 for employees who are not "public safety."

Many fire fighters who experience high frequency hearing loss also experience tinnitus.  Therefore, it is important that the two conditions be clearly separated and evaluated individually for the purpose of obtaining appropriate workers= compensation benefits.

Andrew H. Kahn

Kahn, Smith & Collins, P.A.

201 N. Charles Street, 10^th Fl.

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

(410) 244-1010