Can Hearing Loss Qualify for a Schedule Award Under OWCP?

Some federal employees spend years working in noisy environments (constant exposure to sound levels above 85+db)  without realizing that permanent hearing loss may qualify for compensation through a schedule award. 

Unlike a sudden workplace injury, occupational hearing loss often develops gradually after years/decades of exposure to machinery, aircraft, firearms, industrial equipment, or other high-decibel work environments. Because symptoms progress slowly, many workers adapt and assume hearing loss is a normal part of aging, not caused by their external work environment. 

However, permanent hearing impairment that results from federal employment may qualify for compensation under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). By better understanding how hearing loss claims are evaluated, injured workers better protect their rights throughout the federal workers’ compensation process.

How Is Hearing Loss Evaluated Under OWCP?

A hearing loss schedule award begins with establishing that the hearing impairment is work-related. Once OWCP accepts an injury, the focus shifts to determining the extent of the permanent impairment.

One of the most important parts, if not the most important, of the evaluation is an audiogram; a specialized hearing test that measures hearing thresholds at specific frequencies. Physicians also review occupational noise exposure, medical history, prior hearing evaluations, and other supporting medical evidence before determining the extent of permanent hearing loss. Understanding how the schedule award process works helps explain why these medical evaluations carry so much weight throughout a hearing loss claim.

The AMA Guides Play an Important Role

Some federal workers assume the hearing test alone determines their compensation, but this is not the case; physicians performing impairment evaluations generally rely on the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (6th Edition) when calculating permanent hearing impairment. The Guides provide standardized methods for evaluating hearing loss, but physicians must still carefully interpret audiogram results and occupational history before assigning an impairment rating.

Learn more about this in our accompanying article explaining why the AMA Guides matter for impairment ratings.

Choosing the Right Physician Matters

Not every physician routinely performs OWCP impairment evaluations.

The doctor conducting your hearing evaluation should understand both the AMA Guides and the documentation requirements specific to federal workers’ compensation claims. A thorough examination will clearly explain how the occupational noise exposure resulted in permanent impairment. Choosing an experienced schedule award doctor can make an important difference in the overall evaluation.

Strong Medical Documentation Still Matters

As with every OWCP claim, OWCP medical documentation remains one of the most important factors in a successful hearing loss schedule award.

Your medical records should clearly establish:

• Occupational noise exposure
• Audiogram results
• Physician findings
• Permanent hearing impairment and the relationship between your federal employment and the hearing loss.

Even relatively small inconsistencies between physician reports can create unnecessary questions during the evaluation process. 

Hearing Loss May Still Qualify After Returning to Work

Some federal employees assume returning to work ends their opportunity to receive additional compensation. But, fortunately, that isn’t necessarily true. If permanent hearing impairment remains after treatment has concluded, workers may still qualify for additional compensation through a schedule award. 

Our Guidance Can Help

Successfully obtaining a hearing loss schedule award requires more than documenting hearing loss; it requires clearly connecting (causation) your permanent hearing impairment to your federal employment. 

If you’ve experienced work-related hearing loss and have questions about your rights, working with an experienced team of federal workers’ compensation lawyers can help ensure every available benefit is fully explored.

Contact IFW Law Group to learn more about your options.