The CNESST Compensation Process
Here are the steps in the compensation process
The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité au travail, commonly known as the CNESST, is the organization the Quebec government has mandated to promote rights and obligations in the workplace. It ensures that both workers and employers in Quebec comply with the legislation. The CNESST also helps cover the cost of hearing aids for people whose hearing loss is related to noise exposure in the workplace.
If you believe that your hearing loss was caused by noise exposure in your current or previous job, you can apply to the CNESST to have it recognized as an employment injury.
No matter if you are still employed, planning your retirement, or already retired, you can benefit from the CNESST’s help. However, you must have contributed to the CNESST plan in Quebec.
Here are the steps in the compensation process:
Receiving compensation for occupational noise-induced hearing loss starts with a free* hearing consultation, including a brief evaluation of your hearing. This first meeting will be with a hearing health professional, who will take the time to discuss your career with you. They will then be able to determine which aspects of your daily life could be affecting or have affected your hearing. They will also test your listening and communication abilities and briefly assess your hearing.
If they detect hearing loss, you will be referred to an audiologist for a complete hearing assessment. Depending on the results of this assessment, the audiologist may confirm that the hearing loss could be work-related.
You will then meet with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist to obtain a medical certificate. The CNESST requires this certificate to analyze your application.
Once you have obtained the medical certificate, you will then be redirected to a specially trained resource person who will help you open a file with the CNESST. Among other things, they will help you fill out the necessary forms for your claim (the “Worker’s Claim” and “Appendix to the Worker’s Claim” forms).
Once your hearing loss has been recognized as an employment injury by the CNESST and that the ENT specialist has recommended hearing aids, you’ll meet with an audioprosthetist who will assess your needs and suggest hearing aids that best suit your lifestyle and type of hearing loss.
Finally, you will have your hearing aids adjusted. At this stage, you’ll have an appointment with the audioprosthetist and a specialized educator. These two hearing health professionals will help you readjust to the world of sound and share communication strategies and tips for using and maintaining your hearing aids. They’ll also help you choose assistive listening devices as needed.
If you would like to start the process to have your occupational noise-induced hearing loss recognized, don’t hesitate to book a free** hearing consultation, including a brief evaluation of your hearing*.
*Permanent offer. 18 and over.