Jump to content

$1 million+ special ear insurance


Izen Ears

Recommended Posts

You know, like actors getting million+ dollar policies for their faces, so if their faces got damaged and they were no longer able to work as an actor, they would have several tax-free million and wouldn't starve after the accident.

Call me a worrier and you're right. Every few days or so I can't help but think about how screwed I'd be if anything serious happened to my hearing. Like an infection or a 140dB+ "permanently damaging" blast of sound. Like what almost happened to Mr. LeBlanc recently, but luckily he has told me his hearing is recovered. (Right Mark?)

At this point in my life I would be completely fucked if my ears broke! If I knew where to get this kind of special insurance I'd do it in a heartbeat. I also have done zero research, just in case any of you kind people have already done the research and don't mind sharing! Maybe I should just call an insurance company and ask, but can't do that at 11:50pm on a Saturday night now can I Senator?

Dan Izen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You raise a very good point, one that would have to be dealt with in the policy wording very carefully. You're probably right that if there was no physical evidence then I'd probably be SOL. If however there were evidence, for example in Mr. LeBlanc's case of a boat horn being blown maliciously in his face, one could measure the dB of that horn and offer that as evidence with witnessess stating they saw him standing right in front of the horn when doucheman blew it. (Of course this would have to be a sustained sound of what, at least 120 or 125 dB?) I also bet there would be certain claimable injuries that would show up on some medical test be it MRI or CT scans or whatever.

I'm pretty sure such insurance policies as I'm asking about don't exist, other than through disability insurance. Anyone know of an insurer who offers long-term disability? AFLAC doesn't.

Dan Izen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dan

Everyone first needs to go and get a baseline hearing test. A lawyer told me that even though there are people who witness an incident that without a test that shows what your hearing was like prior to the incident, you would lose in court. Otherwise you could not prove that your hearing was not already damaged prior to something happening. As to my situation, i have an appointment tomorrow with an ear nose and throat doctor. My right ear is ok, my left is much better but now picked up an infection for the horrid sinus I have. I worked last week and pretty much wore ear plugs when ever I wasn't recording and had no ill effects after the day. It's a very scary thing to have the tool of your trade damaged. I'm also ordering custom ear plugs which I used to own but stopped fitting after 20 years. One interesting side affect is when you pull the plugs out after having them in on your way to set is how much more detail you can hear. I'm also on a quest for a less harsh sounding headphone thank my current Sony standard. Workers coomp has footed the bills so far and will patition to have the protection paid for. So, get tested NOW, if something does happen it would be your best chance to win and wair protection when possible!

Mark L

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Mark thanks for chiming in, my thoughts are with you and your total recovery. You're so right. Your reply made me remember that I need to go to the Human Ear Insitutue and get a super-complete total ear / hearing exam immediately for that exact purpose!

It occurred to me that it might also be difficult for an actor to prove that they can't work as a result of facial damage, so those insurance policies must have some base standard "damage level" in order to fill a claim. And I bet that damage level would have to be something catastrophic.

I just want to know if my hearing gets taken from me that I wouldn't have to go right back to work in some other job where I don't need my ears to function properly. Makes my spine tingle...

Dan Izen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

after certain days on the job I notice (we all do) that the ringing is a little more intense but it has always recovered. I keep my sleeping environment super quiet - my right ear is still recovering from being too close to an ambulance air horn and I could only cover one ear because I was holding a heavy bag with my other hand! I haven't had a test in a while but I believe that your hearing can be healed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My understanding is that hearing "loss" due to fatigue (long intense day of recording) will come good after a period of rest. Loss due to exposure to excessive spl is permanent.

I have income protection insurance that provides cover if I am unable to work because of sickness or ill health. Given my job as sound recordist, stated in the policy, if I suffer damage to my hearing and I can't perform my job then the insurance kicks in; payments til I reach retirement age.

Not cheap but provides peace of mind

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just got back from an Ear Specialist. My right ear is almost back to normal with my left ear (Which took the main blast), lagging. The audiology test show a -5 db dip at 4k in the right ear and a -11 db dip in my left. All other frequencies were above average for a male my age. He said that a sudden impact sound will show up at 4 k and because it's a sharp dip that comes back up to normal beyond 10k that it could be my inner ear was brused on sound impact. That my right ear is showing improvement is a very good thing and said to keep doing what I'm doing in terms of protecting my ears. I also get some sinus meds which could be contributing fluid in the inner ear which is producing the pressure I feel. Looks like time is my best friend and an extremely disconcerting lesson. Please go get your hearing tested and from now on will wear protection away from my cart...

Mark L

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

hearing damage is cumulative. there is no recovery from damage. what an idiot Dr. trying to make you feel good.

the house ear institute in LA is the best collection of Dr.s and proceedures and tests. tests are expensive. it's hard to find a place that does hearing tests 40-15K. most are 300-3K.

rember Hollyweird likes deaf soundmixers: "less complaints"

wolf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...