Blogs
on April 6, 2023
Workplaces play an important role in all of our lives, as they impact our personalities and even capabilities to some extent. This is why people make it their priority to find a workplace that is not toxic in any way. But there are cases when people have to work in an environment that ends up being harmful to them later. In a noisy workplace such as a factory or warehouse, one could get noise-induced hearing loss. WSIB hearing aid coverage helps people suffering from hearing loss. WSIB stands for Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
According to the WSIA, or Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the WSIB covers the expenses for hearing aids, tests, and other related matters. This is meant as a great resource for those who have come into contact with high levels of noise regularly at work. But in order to receive the benefits of WSIB hearing aid coverage, one needs to know about it. In the following, we have shared 5 things you must know about WSIB hearing aid coverage:
- Eligibility for the coverage:
In order to get the benefits of WSIB coverage, one must be eligible for it in the first place. Only a professional can help you figure out the qualification conditions to avail of WSIB coverage and its associated benefits. Firstly, a worker has to claim work-related hearing loss, which should be prescribed by a physician. Other conditions for eligibility include having a hearing evaluation done by a professional practitioner. Once an individual is found to be qualified, they receive assistance through WSIB coverage.
- Availability of hearing aids
Just as hearing problems have different levels, symptoms, causes, and effects on an individual’s health, there are various types of hearing aids available. The entire process of availing WSIB coverage is kept simple yet according to standards so that people have no difficulty receiving hearing-aid solutions. But things get tricky when we consider the availability of hearing aids. WSIB offers authorized hearing aid models that meet certain standards to assure that they help with work-related hearing loss.
Pre-approval is not needed in this case, according to the rules. In some cases, the authorized hearing aids are not suitable for a particular eligible individual. As a result, WSIB provides them with a hearing aid from its exception-level category according to their specific clinical requirements.
- Required paperwork:
Getting assistance for work-related hearing loss through WSIB coverage is recommended, but one should be careful about the paperwork involved. There are many professional hearing clinics run by hearing aid practitioners with years of experience who handle the paperwork professionally. All you need to do is set up a hearing test appointment with them and then receive all the important documentation to apply for WSIB coverage easily. Not only is this easier than doing everything by yourself, but it is also quite necessary to prove your eligibility for WSIB coverage.
- Common misconceptions:
The most common misconception about WSIB is that it won’t cover the total cost of hearing aids, even if you are found eligible. The Workplace Safety Insurance Board is an insurance organization that specializes in such cases and provides full expense coverage for hearing aid costs. The only requirement is that the hearing problems you are suffering must be a direct result of noise exposure at your workplace. Another misconception is that only working individuals can get WSIB benefits, but that’s not true. Even if you are retired but suffering from hearing-related problems due to a previous workplace, you are eligible for WSIB coverage.
Final thoughts
WSIB coverage is a golden opportunity for any working or retired person who has come in contact with extreme noise at their workplace and suffered hearing issues.
Posted in: Health