The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Industrial Deafness Litigation involves about 1,500 former textiles workers who claim to suffer from noise-induced hearing loss from working at local mills. They say their employers let them work close to noisy machinery without providing ear protection, despite knowing it would risk damaging their hearing. Ten test cases are being brought against companies including Coats Viyella, Courtaulds and Warwick Fabrics in a group action.