Reach for the Stars

A Claimant in a claim for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) said she was a flight attendant, but in fact worked in the departure lounge, baggage halls, her office and the apron of Heathrow Airport.

A Finch acoustic engineering expert was provided with some disclosed noise levels of certain types of aircraft. The Claimant said that she was exposed to noise when on the apron from aeroplanes landing and taking off, those coming onto the stand and the auxiliary power unit (APU), which are situated in the tail of the aircraft and are used where the aircraft cannot be hooked up to a power supply or generator. The Claimant said that she was also exposed to high noise levels when she was on the bridge, which is the structure between the departure lounge and the aircraft.

The Finch expert had to calculate the Claimant’s daily personal noise exposure from the complicated pattern of aircraft using the airport and relied on his knowledge of airports around the country he worked at in a consultancy role.