When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is often a large part of their self-worth. Their self-image is often based on what job they have, their position, and their pay.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone asks, “So what do you do”? It’s probably to tell them about what you do for a living.

People don’t like to have to think about what they’d do if their job was hampered. But there’s a career-breaker out there that should make anyone who loves putting in a good day’s work perk up and listen.

That career killer is the disturbing link between neglected hearing loss and job success.

Unemployment Rate is Higher With Untreated Hearing Loss

A person is over 200% more likely to be underemployed or unemployed if they have neglected hearing loss. If somebody isn’t working full time or has marketable skills that their not using and their not earning as much as they should be, that’s defined as underemployed.

In practically any career, people with untreated hearing loss face many challenges. Doctors need to be able to hear their patients. If they’re going to safely work together, construction workers have to be able to communicate. Even a librarian would find it hard to assist library patrons without her hearing.

Lots of individuals remain in the same line of work their entire lives. They know it really well. For them, if they can’t hear well, it would be hard to switch to a different career and make a decent living.

The Potential Hearing Impairment Wage Gap

In addition to unemployment, those with hearing loss all have the tendency to suffer a substantial wage gap, making around 75 cents for every dollar somebody with normal hearing makes. Many independent studies back this wage gap and show that that gap averages out at about $12,000 lost wages per year.

How much they lose closely correlates with the extent of the hearing loss. According to a study conducted on 80,000 participants, even people with moderate hearing loss are potentially losing money.

What Struggles do People With Hearing Loss Face on The Job?

Somebody with neglected hearing loss is 5 times more likely to take a sick day due to job stress.

From moment to moment, someone with hearing loss experiences stresses that co-workers never recognize. Picture having to concentrate on hearing and comprehending in team meetings while others simply take hearing for granted. Now imagine the stress of missing something important.

That’s even worse.

Those with untreated hearing loss are also 3 times as likely to have a significant fall or other accident while at work or at home. Both impact your ability to do the work.

Somebody with neglected hearing loss is at an increased risk, in addition to job challenges, of the following:

• Dementia
• Social Isolation
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Depression

All of this results in decreased productivity. And given the difficulties that someone with hearing loss experiences at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an upcoming promotion.

Luckily, there’s a really bright silver lining to this dismal career outlook.

An Effective Career Solution

The unemployment and wage gap can be eliminated by getting hearing aids according to some studies.

According to a Better Hearing Institute study, a person with slight hearing loss who uses hearing aids can eliminate the wage gap by as much as 90-100%.

Somebody with moderate hearing loss can remove about 77% of the gap. That’s nearly the earning level of someone with normal hearing.

Even though hearing loss can be corrected it’s not uncommon for people to ignore it during their working years. They might feel embarrassed about losing their hearing. It makes them feel old.

They may assume that hearing aids are simply too costly for them. They probably don’t comprehend that if hearing loss is neglected, it worsens more quickly in addition to causing the other health concerns mentioned above.

Considering these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Not addressing your hearing loss may be costing you more than you know. If you’ve been on the fence about using hearing aids at work, it’s time to get a hearing assessment. Get in touch with us so we can help you make that decision.

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References

https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx