House Passes Hearing Loss Rating Bill

The Maryland House of Delegates on Thursday unanimously passed a bill modifying how hearing loss must be calculated for workers’ compensation benefits. The House voted 134-0 to pass HB 669, by Del. Andrew C. Pruski, D-Anne Arundel, which would increase the number of frequencies that must be included in hearing tests and alter how age is factored into the calculation. Current law calculates hearing loss across four frequency ranges — 500 hertz to 3,000 hertz — and includes an offset based on the average amount of hearing loss from nonoccupational causes in the general popula...