Rank: Forum user 
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Hi, I have an employee who has been given a hearing aid to wear at all times. The medical evidence shows it is not work related. All of our work areas require ear plugs/muffs.
The employee has refused to wear the muff type protection as he claims it affects the aid and he cannot use plugs for obvious reasons.
Has anyone encountered something similar or is aware of any products that would allow this employee to return to work and where the necessary protection.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I wear hearing aids in both ears due to prior noise exposure. When at work in noisy environments they come out and muffs go on. Putting muffs over hearing aids gives horrible feedback.
'At all times' is when (for me) I need to hear speech, or occasionally music, and then I can't deal with too much background.
Maybe get OH / a noise & hearing specialist to check his hearing levels against the noise in the work area to make sure that the worker concerned could still hear fire / machine alarms or shouts of warning when using protection and not hearing aids.
The noise levels at action levels can still cause further damage to already reduced hearing. Encourage them to seek the advice of the person who prescribed the hearing aid - a different style may work better, but may not be available without spending money.
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Rank: Forum user
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We want to integrate the employee back into the workplace but he states he cannot/will not wear muffs or take his hearing aid out at any time.
There is no alternative job for him but I am mindfull of being accused of discrimination when we have spent alot of time looking into this.
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Rank: Forum user
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