During the standard working years, many people build a lot of their perceived self-worth up around their occupation. Their self-image is frequently based on what job they have, their position, and how much they make.
What’s the first thing you think when somebody asks, “So what do you do”? It most likely has something to do with what you do for a living.
It’s not enjoyable to think about what you would do if something took your career away. But if you like your job, then you should take note of this career-breaker.
That career killer is the disturbing link between neglected hearing loss and job success.
Untreated Hearing Loss Raises Unemployment Rates
A person is over 200% more likely to be underemployed or unemployed if they have untreated hearing impairment. Underemployment is typically defined as the condition of employees not earning up to their potential, either because they aren’t working full time or because the work doesn’t utilize all of their marketable expertise.
Those with untreated hearing loss face lots of obstacles in almost any occupation. Doctors need to be able to hear their patients. A construction worker has to hear his co-workers in order to work with each other on a job. And without the ability to hear, even a librarian would find it hard to help library patrons.
Lots of people remain in the same line of work their whole lives. They become quite good at what they do. For them, if they can’t hear well, it would be difficult to change to a different job and make a respectable living.
The Potential Hearing Impairment Wage Gap
In addition to unemployment, those with hearing impairment all tend to experience a significant wage gap, making around 75 cents for every dollar someone with normal hearing earns. This wage gap is backed by many independent studies that show that an individual loses as much as $12,000 in income every year.
The extent of hearing loss is closely correlated with how much they lose. Even individuals with mild hearing loss are potentially losing money, according to a study of 80,000 people.
What Struggles do People Who Suffer From Hearing Loss Confront on The Job?
Job stress causes someone with hearing loss to take sick days 5 times more frequently than someone with normal hearing.
Being unable to hear causes additional stress that peers don’t experience on a moment-to-moment basis. Picture having to concentrate on hearing and comprehending in team meetings while others simply take hearing for granted. Now think about the anxiety of missing something important.
That’s even worse.
While on or off the job, it’s three times more likely that somebody with neglected hearing loss will suffer from a fall. Your ability to work is impacted.
Somebody with untreated hearing loss is at an increased danger, in addition to job challenges, of the following:
- Dementia
- Social Isolation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
Reduced productivity is the result of all this. People with hearing loss face so many challenges, both at work and in their personal lives, regrettably being passed over for a promotion is also a very real possibility.
Luckily, there’s a very bright silver lining to this dismal career outlook.
A Career Approach That Works
The unemployment and wage gap can be mitigated by using hearing aids according to some studies.
The wage gap can be decreased by 90 – 100% for someone with minor hearing loss who uses hearing aids, as revealed by a study done by Better Hearing Institute.
Someone with moderate hearing loss can remove about 77% of the gap. That gets them nearly up to the income of an individual in the same job with normal hearing.
Even though hearing loss can be corrected it’s not uncommon for people to neglect it during their working years. They feel that losing their hearing is embarrassing. They don’t want to appear “older” because of their hearing loss.
Hearing aids may seem too costly. They probably don’t comprehend that if hearing loss is neglected, it progresses more quickly in addition to causing the other health concerns pointed out above.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Not dealing with your hearing loss might be costing you more than you recognize. It’s time to have a hearing exam if you’re trying to decide if you should wear hearing aids at work. Contact 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