Lost Your Hearing in a Work Injury?
Ohio owes you up to $160,125.
If you lost all hearing due to workplace noise or trauma, Ohio law says your award is worth up to $160,125. But the BWC aggressively disputes hearing loss claims — especially gradual noise exposure. You need Mike Gruhin.
Key takeaways
- ✓A total hearing loss award in Ohio is worth up to $160,125 (125 weeks at $1,281/week).
- ✓The BWC aggressively disputes hearing loss claims — arguing they are age-related, not work-related.
- ✓Gradual noise-induced hearing loss qualifies, but proving occupational causation requires Mike’s expertise.
- ✓You may qualify even if you’ve retired — but filing deadlines are strict.
- ✓Mike Gruhin has 49+ years of experience winning hearing loss cases.
What is a scheduled loss award?
Ohio law provides $160,125 for total hearing loss from workplace exposure or trauma. This includes gradual noise-induced hearing loss from years of factory, construction, or equipment work.
But hearing loss claims are among the most aggressively disputed in Ohio workers’ comp. The BWC argues the loss is age-related, not severe enough, or not work-related. Mike Gruhin knows how to prove occupational causation and fight for your full award.
2026 Ohio BWC hearing injury award
$160,125
125 weeks × $1,281 per week
Knowing the award amount is just the beginning.
The BWC does not hand you this money. You must file properly, present the right medical evidence, and fight for every dollar — especially for loss-of-use injuries, which the BWC disputes aggressively. That is what Mike Gruhin does. He has 49+ years of experience winning these exact cases.
Don’t try to navigate the BWC alone.
Mike reviews every case personally — at no charge.
Why loss-of-use claims are so difficult
Most scheduled loss claims are not amputations. They are loss-of-use claims — where you still have the body part but have permanently lost substantial function. These claims are far more complex and far more aggressively disputed by the BWC.
The BWC will argue you have not lost enough function, that the loss was pre-existing, or that you do not qualify at all. They hire their own doctors to minimize your impairment. Without an experienced lawyer building your medical and legal case, most loss-of-use claims are denied or drastically undervalued.
Mike Gruhin has spent 49+ years winning loss-of-use cases that the BWC tried to deny. He knows exactly what medical evidence is needed, which doctors to work with, and how to present your case at hearing. This is not something you can do on your own.
Related hearing and sensory injury awards
Mike evaluates your entire situation to pursue every available benefit.
Don’t leave money on the table.
The BWC will never tell you about overlapping benefits. Mike identifies every one.
Why your hearing loss award may be worth more than $160,125
The $160,125 is only one benefit. Mike identifies every additional award you qualify for.
PPD — additional impairment
Tinnitus, balance disorders, and communication impairment each support separate PPD awards. Mike documents every one.
Wage loss benefits
Hearing loss limits employment in communication-dependent roles. Mike pursues Wage Loss as a separate benefit.
VSSR — employer safety violations
Failure to provide hearing protection or control noise levels is a safety violation. Mike investigates and pursues VSSR awards.
Occupational disease claim
Noise-induced hearing loss can also be filed as an occupational disease. Mike determines which filing strategy maximizes your benefits.
Get your free hearing loss case review
Tell us what happened. Mike personally responds. No fee unless we win.
Why you need Mike Gruhin for your hearing loss claim
Hearing loss claims are among the most disputed in Ohio workers’ comp. The BWC argues your loss is age-related, not severe enough, or not work-related. They hire their own audiologists to minimize your test results.
Employers fight hearing loss claims aggressively because they set precedent for other workers. Without Mike, most hearing loss claims are denied or drastically undervalued.
Mike Gruhin has 49+ years of experience. He proves occupational causation, defeats BWC arguments, and identifies every overlapping benefit you are owed.
No fee unless we win. Mike works on contingency — you pay nothing upfront, and you owe nothing unless he recovers benefits for you. The consultation is free, unlimited in time, and completely confidential.
49+ years fighting for injured workers across Ohio.
Mike has recovered millions in benefits for hearing injury victims.
Frequently asked questions
Your hearing loss could be worth
$160,125 — or more.
Free, unlimited-time telephone consultation. Mike personally responds. No fee unless we win.
No obligation. No upfront cost. Completely confidential.