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Plain English answer
How this assessment usually works
Hearing impairment assessment usually depends on proper audiology evidence, occupational noise exposure history, protection records and the NSW hearing-loss method. It is not enough to say the worker has trouble hearing; the report needs to connect measurable hearing loss to work exposure.
The assessor does not decide legal liability. The assessment is a medical opinion about permanent impairment under the NSW workers compensation guidelines. The legal importance is what the percentage does to Section 66, weekly payments, medical expense time limits, settlement strategy or work injury damages preparation.
Step 1
Accepted injury
Check the accepted injury wording, body system and mechanism before looking at the percentage.
Step 2
Medical method
Check whether the correct NSW guideline method, clinical findings and records were used.
Step 3
Claim effect
Check what the WPI percentage changes before accepting a report or settlement position.
What the assessor usually checks
- audiology testing quality and whether the correct occupational-noise history was recorded
- duration, intensity and type of noisy work exposure
- use or absence of hearing protection, training and workplace records
- whether non-work causes are being relied on and how they are reasoned
- whether tinnitus is considered in the correct context rather than used as a vague label
Evidence that may help
A useful WPI report depends on the material the assessor receives. These records often matter for hearing loss and tinnitus:
- audiograms and specialist ENT or audiologist reports
- employment history showing noisy work tasks, machinery, tools, vehicles or industrial environments
- PPE, training and hearing conservation records if available
- statements from co-workers about noise exposure and communication difficulty
- medical records showing onset, progression and any non-work hearing history
Common insurer or report disputes
- the insurer says hearing loss is age-related
- noise exposure is understated because records are incomplete
- hearing protection is assumed to have prevented injury
- the report does not address all noisy employments
- tinnitus is mentioned but not connected to the assessment pathway
Questions to ask when the report comes back
How this connects to thresholds and strategy
SIRA says permanent impairment compensation generally requires 11% or more permanent impairment for physical injury, and 15% or more for primary psychological injury. Secondary psychological injury is treated differently. Those thresholds are not a payout promise; they are eligibility and strategy checkpoints that need to be applied to the accepted injury and current evidence.
A low WPI opinion may also affect weekly-payment planning, treatment time-limit issues, dispute posture, and whether work injury damages threshold advice is required. The safest approach is to review the method, evidence and consequences before signing or letting the insurer rely on a weak assessment.
Questions workers often ask
Is hearing loss and tinnitus assessed the same way as every other injury?
No. NSW permanent impairment assessment depends on the accepted injury, body system, medical evidence, maximum medical improvement and any NSW-specific guideline modification. The assessment method for hearing loss and tinnitus should be checked against the injury actually accepted in the claim.
Can I calculate the WPI percentage myself?
No. A trained permanent impairment assessor must perform the assessment. A worker can still check whether the report used the correct injury description, records, body system, causation assumptions and deduction reasoning.
What if the insurer report seems too low?
Ask for the report and the material sent to the assessor. For hearing loss and tinnitus, compare the report against treating records, imaging, specialist material, work duties and certificates of capacity before accepting the percentage or relying on it for settlement strategy.
Does maximum medical improvement matter?
Yes. SIRA guidance says permanent impairment assessment should occur when the condition has stabilised and is unlikely to change substantially in the next year with or without treatment. If treatment is incomplete, the timing may need review.
General information only
This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. You should obtain advice about your own circumstances before relying on a WPI percentage, accepting a lump sum offer, or responding to an insurer decision.
Reviewed by NSW Work Injury Claims - a branch of Stephen Young Lawyers.
Related injury and impairment pages
Need a WPI assessment checked?
If the percentage does not match the accepted injury, treatment history, imaging, surgery, work duties or current restrictions, get the report checked before accepting the insurer position.