Working in Noisy Environments

How to Open a File with the CNESST ?

Did you know that the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité au travail (CNESST) can cover the cost to obtain, maintain, and repair your hearing aids? In order to receive these benefits, the CNESST must verify that your deafness was the result of noise exposure at your job. Self-employed workers must have contributed to the CNESST to be eligible. Since the administrative procedures can feel complex and tedious, the professionals who work at the Lobe clinics can help you.

Follow these steps when dealing with the CNESST if you have concerns about the quality of your hearing following exposure to noise in the workplace.

05

Send the documents

All documents must then be sent to your regional CNESST office. They can be sent by mail or via the CNESST online platform.

01

Free* hearing health consultation

Schedule a free* hearing health consultation with a hearing health professional, which includes a hearing test.

02

See an audiologist

If your hearing test confirms your suspected hearing loss, you will be referred to audiology. The audiologist will then perform a full hearing assessment that will confirm the link between reduced hearing and workplace noise exposure.

06

Wait for the eligibility decision

The waiting time to receive a response varies greatly, ranging from a few weeks to a few months.

07

Receipt of eligibility decision

You will receive the decision regarding your claim by mail or via the CNESST online platform. If your hearing loss is recognized to be caused by your work environment, a second appointment with the ENT may be required so that the specialist can complete the medical evaluation report and the final report; these two CNESST forms will determine your eligibility to receive monetary compensation in addition to your hearing aids.

03

See the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist

The ENT specialist will assess whether a request to open a file with the CNESST is suitable. If so, they will fill out a medical certificate in order to begin the process.

04

Fill out the CNESST documents

The Worker’s Claim and appendix must be properly completed by the worker. A member of our team is always available to answer your questions about these forms.

08

Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist

After your hearing problems are evaluated, the audioprosthetist will suggest the best hearing aids to meet your needs. He will then make the necessary adjustments and follow-ups to provide a good adaptation.

Don’t hesitate to contact the hearing healthcare professionals at the Lobe clinics for more information.

*Permanent offer. 18 and over.

Valérie Boucher

Specialized educator practising in Saint-Léonard

Reference: - Commission des normes, de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, “Occupational disease”, https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/procedures-and-forms/workers/ work-accident-or-occupational-disease/occupational-disease