DWD 80.23 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; am. Register, April, 1975, No. 232, eff. 5-1-75. DWD 80.25DWD 80.25 Loss of hearing. The department adopts the following standards for the determination and evaluation of noise induced hearing loss, other occupational hearing loss and accidental hearing loss: DWD 80.25(1)(1) Harmful noise. Hearing loss resulting from hazardous noise exposure depends upon several factors, namely, the overall intensity (sound pressure level), the daily exposure, the frequency characteristic of the noise spectrum and the total lifetime exposure. Noise exposure level of 90 decibels or more as measured on the A scale of a sound level meter for 8 hours a day is considered to be harmful. DWD 80.25(2)(2) Measurement of noise. Noise shall be measured with a sound level meter which meets ANSI standard 1983 and shall be measured on the “A” weighted network for “slow response.” Noise levels reaching maxima at intervals of one second or less shall be classified as being continuous. The measurement of noise is primarily the function of acoustical engineers and properly trained personnel. Noise should be scientifically measured by properly trained individuals using approved calibrated instruments which at the present time include sound level meters, octave band analyzers and oscilloscopes, the latter particularly for impact-type noises. DWD 80.25(3)(3) Measure of hearing acuity. The use of pure tone air and bone conduction audiometry performed under proper testing conditions is recommended for establishing the hearing acuity of workers. The audiometer should be one which meets the specifications of ANSI standard 53.6-1969 (4). The audiometer should be periodically calibrated. Preemployment records should include a satisfactory personal and occupational history as they may pertain to hearing status. Otological examination should be made where indicated. DWD 80.25(4)(4) Formula for measuring hearing impairment. For the purpose of determining the hearing impairment, pure tone air conduction audiometry is used, measuring all frequencies between 500 and 6,000 Hz. This formula uses the average of the 4 speech frequencies of 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 Hz. Audiometric measurement for these 4 frequencies averaging 30 decibels or less on the ANSI calibration does not constitute any practical hearing impairment. A table for evaluating hearing impairment based upon the average readings of these 4 frequencies follows below. No deduction is made for presbycusis. DWD 80.25(5)(5) Diagnosis and evaluation. The diagnosis of occupational hearing loss is based upon the occupational and medical history, the results of the otological and audiometric examinations and their evaluation. DWD 80.25(6)(6) Treatment. There is no known medical or surgical treatment for improving or restoring hearing loss due to hazardous noise exposure. Hearing loss will be improved in non-occupational settings with the use of a hearing aid. Since a hearing aid relieves from the effect of injury the cost is compensable where prescribed by a physician. DWD 80.25(7)(7) Allowance for tinnitus. In addition to the above impairment, if tinnitus has permanently resulted due to work exposure, an allowance of 5% loss of hearing impairment for the affected ear or ears shall be computed. DWD 80.25(9)(9) Method for determining percent of hearing impairment. DWD 80.25(9)(a)(a) Obtain for each ear the average hearing level in decibels at the 4 frequencies, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 Hz. DWD 80.25(9)(b)(b) See Table for converting to percentage of hearing impairment in each ear. DWD 80.25(9)(c)(c) To determine the percentage of impairment for both ears, multiply the lesser loss by 5, add the greater loss and divide by 6. Following are examples of the calculation of hearing loss: 1. Calculation of average hearing threshold level: 2. Calculation of hearing disability:
Smaller number (better ear)
8% × 5 = 40
Larger number (poorer ear)
40% × 1 = 40
Total 80 ÷ 6 = 13.33% loss
Therefore, a person with the hearing threshold levels shown in this audiogram would have a 13.33% hearing disability.
1. Average hearing threshold level: Therefore, the hearing loss is 4.8% left ear
1. Average hearing threshold level (use 93 db maximal value): 2. Hearing disability:
Smaller number (better ear)
88% × 5 = 440
Larger number (poorer ear)
100% × 1 = 100%
Total 540 × 6 = 90% loss
Therefore, the hearing disability is 90%.
DWD 80.25 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; am. Register, January, 1960, No. 49, eff. 2-1-60; am. Register, October, 1965, No. 118, eff. 11-1-65; r. and recr. Register, September, 1972, No. 201, eff. 10-1-72; am. (1) to (4), r. (5), renum. (6) and (7) to be (5) and (6), cr. (7) and am. (8), Register, September, 1975, No. 237, eff. 10-1-75; am. (intro.), (2) to (4), (6), (8) and (9), Register, September, 1986, No. 369, eff. 10-1-86; CR 20-031: am. (9) (c) A. 2., C. 2. Register October 2021 No. 790, eff. 11-1-21. DWD 80.26DWD 80.26 Loss of vision; determination. The following rules for determining loss of visual efficiency shall be applicable to all cases settled after December 1, 1941, irrespective of the date of injury, except that, in the examples for computations of compensation payable and of the percentage of permanent total disability, the computation of the percentage of visual impairment must be applied to the provisions of the worker’s compensation act as they existed at the date of the injury. DWD 80.26(1)(1) Maximum and minimum limits of the primary coordinate factors of vision. In order to determine the various degrees of visual efficiency, a) normal or maximum, and b) minimum, limits for each coordinate function must be established; i.e., the 100% point and the 0% point. DWD 80.26(1)(a)(a) Maximum limits. The maximum efficiency for each of these is established by existing and accepted standards. DWD 80.26(1)(a)1.1. Central visual acuity. The ability to recognize letters or characters which subtend an angle of 5 minutes, each unit part of which subtends a 1 minute angle at the distance viewed is accepted as standard. Therefore a 20/20 Snellen or A.M.A. and a 14/14 A.M.A. are employed as the maximum acuity of central vision, or 100% acuity for distance vision and near vision respectively. DWD 80.26(1)(a)2.2. Field vision. A visual field having an area which extends from the point of fixation outward 65, down and out 65, down 55, down and in 45, inward 45, in and up 45, upward 45, and up and out 55 is accepted as 100% industrial visual field efficiency. DWD 80.26(1)(a)3.3. Binocular vision. Maximum binocular vision is present if there is absence of diplopia in all parts of the field of binocular fixation, and if the 2 eyes give useful binocular vision. DWD 80.26(1)(b)(b) Minimum limits. The minimum limit, or the 0% of the coordinate functions of vision, is established at that degree of deficiency which reduces vision to a state of industrial uselessness. DWD 80.26(1)(b)1.1. Central visual acuity. The minimum limit of this function is established as the loss of light perception, light perception being qualitative vision. The practical minimum limit of quantitative visual acuity is established as the ability to distinguish form. Experience, experiment and authoritative opinion show that for distance vision 20/200 Snellen or A.M.A. Chart is 80% loss of visual efficiency, 20/380 is 96% loss, and 20/800 is 99.9% loss, and that for near vision 14/141 A.M.A. Reading Card is 80% loss of visual efficiency, 14/266 is 96% loss, and 14/560 is 99.9% loss. Table 1 shows the percentage loss of visual efficiency corresponding to the Snellen and other notations for distant and for near vision, for the measurable range of quantitative visual acuity. DWD 80.26(1)(b)2.2. Field vision. The minimum limit for this function is established as a concentric central contraction of the visual field to 5. This degree of contraction of the visual field of an eye reduces the visual efficiency to zero. DWD 80.26(1)(b)3.3. Binocular vision. The minimum limit is established by the presence of diplopia in all parts of the motor field, or by lack of useful binocular vision. This condition constitutes 50% motor field efficiency. DWD 80.26(1)(c)(c) Where distance vision is less than 20/200 and the A.M.A. Chart is used, readings will be at 10 feet. The percentage of efficiency and loss may be obtained from this table by comparison with corresponding readings on the basis of 20 feet, interpolating between readings if necessary. In view of the lack of uniform standards among the various near vision charts, readings for near vision, within the range of vision covered thereby, are to be according to the American Medical Association Rating Reading Card of 1932. DWD 80.26(2)(2) Measurement of coordinate factors of vision and the computation of their partial loss. DWD 80.26(2)(a)1.1. Central visual acuity shall be measured both for distance and for near, each eye being measured separately, both with and without correction. Where the purpose of the computation is to determine loss of vision resulting from injury, if correction is needed for a presbyopia due to age or for some other condition clearly not due to the injury (see section on miscellaneous regulations), the central visual acuity “without correction”, as the term is used herein, shall be measured with a correction applied for such presbyopia or other preexisting condition but without correction for any condition which may have resulted from the injury. The central visual acuity “with correction” shall be measured with correction applied for all conditions present. DWD 80.26(2)(a)2.2. The percentage of central visual acuity efficiency of the eye for distance vision shall be based on the best percentage of central visual acuity between the percentage of central visual acuity with and without correction. However, in no case shall such subtraction for glasses be taken at more than 25%, or less than 5%, of total central visual acuity efficiency. If a subtraction of 5%, however, reduces the percentage of central visual acuity efficiency below that obtainable without correction, the percentage obtainable without correction shall be adopted unless correction is nevertheless necessary to prevent eye strain or for other reasons. DWD 80.26(2)(a)3.3. The percentage of central visual acuity efficiency of the eye for near vision shall be based on a similar computation from the near vision readings, with and without correction. DWD 80.26(2)(a)4.4. The percentage of central visual acuity efficiency of the eye in question shall be the result of the weighted values assigned to these 2 percentages for distance and for near. A onefold value is assigned to distance vision and a twofold value to near vision. Thus, if the central visual efficiency for distance is 70% and that for near is 40%, the percentage of central visual efficiency for the eye in question would be: DWD 80.26(2)(a)5.5. The Snellen test letters or characters as published by the Committee on Compensation for Eye Injuries of the American Medical Association and designated “Industrial Vision Test Charts” subtend a 5 minute angle, and their component parts a 1 minute angle. These test letters or the equivalent are to be used at an examining distance of 20 feet for distant vision (except as otherwise noted on the Chart where vision is very poor), and of 14 inches for near vision, from the patient. The illumination is to be not less than three foot candles, nor more than ten foot candles on the surface of the chart. DWD 80.26(2)(a)6.6. Table 1 shows the percentage of central visual acuity efficiency and the percentage loss of such efficiency, both for distance and for near, for partial loss between 100% and zero vision for either eye. DWD 80.26(2)(b)1.1. The extent of the field of vision shall be determined by the use of the usual perimetric test methods, a white target being employed which subtends a 1 degree angle under illumination of not less than 3 foot candles, and the result plotted on the industrial visual field chart. The readings should be taken, if possible, without restriction to the field covered by the correction worn. DWD 80.26(2)(b)2.2. The amount of radial contraction in the 8 principal meridians shall be determined. The sum of the degrees of field vision remaining on these meridians,divided by 420 (the sum of the 8 principal radii of the industrial visual field) will give the visual field efficiency of one eye in per cent, subject to the proviso stated in the section on “Minimum Limits” that a concentric central contraction of the field to a diameter of 5 degrees reduces the visual efficiency to zero. DWD 80.26(2)(b)3.3. Where the impairment of field is irregular and not fairly disclosed by the 8 radii, the impaired area should be sketched upon the diagram on the report blank, and the computation be based on a greater number of radii, or otherwise, as may be necessary to a fair determination. DWD 80.26(2)(c)1.1. Binocular vision shall be measured in all parts of the motor field, recognized methods being used for testing. It shall be measured with any useful correction applied. DWD 80.26(2)(c)2.2. Diplopia may involve the field of binocular fixation entirely or partially. When diplopia is present, this shall be plotted on the industrial motor field chart. This chart is divided into 20 rectangles, 4 by 5 degrees in size. The partial loss due to diplopia is that proportional area which shows diplopia as indicated on the plotted chart compared with the entire motor field area. DWD 80.26(2)(c)3.3. When diplopia involves the entire motor field, causing an irremediable diplopia, or when there is absence of useful binocular vision due to lack of accommodation or other reason, the loss of coordinate visual efficiency is equal to 50% loss of the vision existing in one eye (ordinarily the injured, or the more seriously injured, eye); and when the diplopia is partial, the loss in visual efficiency shall be proportional and based on the efficiency factor value of one eye as stated in table 2. When useful correction is applied to relieve diplopia, 5% of total motor field efficiency of one eye shall be deducted from the percent of such efficiency obtainable with the correction. A correction which does not improve motor field efficiency by at least 5% of total will not ordinarily be considered useful. DWD 80.26(3)(3) Industrial visual efficiency of one eye. The industrial visual efficiency of one eye is determined by obtaining the product of the computed coordinate efficiency values of central visual acuity, of field of vision, and of binocular vision. Thus, if central visual acuity efficiency is 50%, visual field efficiency is 80% and the binocular vision efficiency is 100%, the resultant visual efficiency of the eye will be 50 × 80 × 100 = 40%. Should useful binocular vision be absent in all of the motor field so that binocular efficiency is reduced to 50%, the visual efficiency would be 50 × 80 × 50 = 20%. DWD 80.26(4)(4) Computation of compensation for impairment of vision. When the percentage of industrial visual efficiency of each eye has been thus determined, it is subtracted from 100%. The difference represents the percentage impairment of each eye for industrial use. These percentages are applied directly to the specific schedules of the Worker’s Compensation Act. DWD 80.26(5)(5) Types of ocular injury not included in the disturbance of coordinate factors. Certain types of ocular disturbance are not included in the foregoing computations and these may result in disabilities, the value of which cannot be computed by any scale as yet scientifically possible of deduction. Such are disturbances of accommodation not previously provided for in these rules, of color vision, of adaptation to light and dark, metamorphopsia, entropion, ectropion, lagophthalmos, epiphora, and muscle disturbances not included under diplopia. For such disabilities additional compensation shall be awarded, but in no case shall such additional award make the total compensation for loss in industrial visual efficiency greater than that provided by law for total permanent disability. DWD 80.26(6)(a)(a) Compensation shall not be computed until all adequate and reasonable operations and treatment known to medical science have been attempted to correct the defect. Further, before there shall be made the final examination on which compensation is to be computed, at least 3 months shall have elapsed after the last trace of visible inflammation has disappeared, except in cases of disturbance of extrinsic ocular muscles, optic nerve atrophy, injury of the retina, sympathetic ophthalmia, and traumatic cataract; in such cases, at least 12 months and preferably not more than 16 months shall intervene before the examination shall be made on which final compensation is to be computed. In case the injury is one which may cause cataract, optic atrophy, disturbance of the retina, or other conditions, which may further impair vision after the time of the final examination, note thereof should be made by the examining physician on his report. DWD 80.26(6)(b)(b) In cases of additional loss in visual efficiency, when it is known that there was present a preexisting subnormal vision, compensation shall be based on the loss incurred as a result of eye injury or occupational condition specifically responsible for the additional loss. In case there exists no record or no adequate and positive evidence of preexisting subnormal vision, it shall be assumed that the visual efficiency prior to any injury was 100%. In order to effect the above purpose, the examining physician should carefully distinguish, in regard to each of the coordinate factors, between impairments resulting from the injury and impairments not so resulting as established by the type of proof here stated. Such other impairments should, however, be also reported, separately. Computation must occasionally also be made of impairment of vision not resulting from the injury, as, for instance, for the purpose of computing additional indemnity due under the provisions of the Worker’s Compensation Act on account of preexisting disability of one or both eyes. DWD 80.26 NoteNote: Example of computation covering partial disability to a single eye
DWD 80.26 NoteNote: Example of computation covering partial disability to both eyes
DWD 80.26 NoteNote: Example of compensation covering enucleation of one eye and partial disability of the other eye
DWD 80.27DWD 80.27 Forms. A sample copy of all forms referred to in these rules may be obtained upon a request to the Worker’s Compensation Division, Department of Workforce Development, Post Office Box 7901, Madison, WI 53707. DWD 80.27 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1957, No. 22, eff. 11-1-57; am. (1), Register, October, 1965, No. 118, eff. 12-1-65; am. Register, April, 1975, No. 232, eff. 5-1-75; r. and recr. Register, September, 1982, No. 321, eff. 10-1-82; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6., Stats., Register, July, 1996, No. 487, eff. 8-1-96. DWD 80.29DWD 80.29 Value of room or meals. For the purpose of determining the value of lodging and meals for wage purposes under ch. 102, Stats., the allowance provided under ch. DWD 272 shall apply. DWD 80.29 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1960, No. 58, eff. 11-1-60; am. (1) (a) and (b), Register, October, 1963, No. 94, eff. 11-1-63; r. and recr. Register, January, 1967, No. 133, eff. 2-1-67; am. Register, November, 1970, No. 179, eff. 12-1-70; r. and recr. Register, April, 1975, No. 232, eff. 5-1-75; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, July, 1996, No. 487, eff. 8-1-96; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, December, 1997, No. 504. DWD 80.30DWD 80.30 Average weekly earnings for members of volunteer fire companies or fire departments. The maximum average weekly earnings under the provisions of s. 102.11, Stats., which are in effect on the date of injury shall be used in computing the amount of compensation payable to an employee as defined by s. 102.07 (7), Stats., except as specific showing may be made in an individual case that such wage is not proper. DWD 80.30 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, June, 1961, No. 66, eff. 7-1-61. DWD 80.32DWD 80.32 Permanent disabilities. Minimum percentages of loss of use for amputation levels, losses of motion, sensory losses and surgical procedures. DWD 80.32(1)(1) The disabilities set forth in this section are the minimums for the described conditions. However, findings of additional disabling elements shall result in an estimate higher than the minimum. The minimum also assumes that the member, the back, etc., was previously without disability. Appropriate reduction shall be made for any preexisting disability.
