Hinkle v. HJ Heinz Company

*114OPINION OF THE COURT

EAGEN, Justice.

This is a case of first impression within this Commonwealth. In it, we are asked to determine whether workmen’s compensation benefits may be awarded for a partial loss of hearing suffered by an employee by reason of protracted exposure to noise in the usual course of employment.

On September 11, 1969, the claimant, Darious E. Hinkle, filed a petition for compensation with the Workmen’s Compensation Board, alleging a 62% loss of hearing in his left ear and a 32 % loss of hearing in his right ear. He assigned May 9, 1969, as the date of the accident and excess…