During the standard working years, many people build much of their perceived self-worth up around their occupation. They base their self-image on what type of job they do, what position they have, and how much they earn.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone 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 would happen if something took your career away. But there’s a career-breaker out there that should make anybody who loves putting in a good day’s work pay attention.
The troubling link between job success and untreated hearing loss is precisely that livelihood killer.
Unemployment Rate is Higher With Untreated Hearing Loss
A person is over 200% more likely to be unemployed or underemployed if they have neglected hearing impairment. Underemployment is generally 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.
In almost any occupation, individuals with neglected hearing loss experience lots of difficulties. Doctors need to be able to hear their patients. If they’re going to efficiently work together, construction workers have to be able to communicate. Even a librarian would find it difficult to help library patrons without her hearing.
Many people work their whole lives in one line of work. They know it really well. For them, if they can’t hear well, it would be hard to switch to a different job and make a decent living.
The Potential Hearing Loss Wage Gap
Along with unemployment, those with hearing impairment all have the tendency to experience a substantial wage gap, making about 75 cents for every dollar a person with normal hearing earns. This wage gap is supported by many independent studies that reveal that an individual loses as much as $12,000 in wages every year.
How much they lose strongly correlates with the extent of the hearing impairment. Even people with mild hearing loss are potentially losing money, based on a study of 80,000 people.
What Struggles do Individuals With Hearing Loss Deal With on The Job?
Somebody with untreated hearing loss is 5 times more likely to take a sick day due to job stress.
From moment to moment, somebody with hearing loss copes with stresses that co-workers never see. Envision needing to focus on hearing and comprehending in team meetings while others just take hearing for granted. Now think about the stress of missing something important.
That’s even more stressful.
Those with untreated hearing loss are also 3 times as likely to have a serious fall or other accident while at work or at home. Your ability to work is impacted.
Somebody with neglected hearing loss is at an increased danger, in addition to job concerns, of the following:
- Dementia
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Social Isolation
- Anxiety
Decreased productivity is the result of all this. And given the difficulties that someone with hearing loss confronts at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an upcoming promotion.
Fortunately, this sad career outlook has a silver lining.
A Career Approach That Works
Studies also reveal that having your hearing loss treated can get rid of the unemployment and the wage gap.
The wage gap can be erased by 90 – 100% for a person with minor hearing loss who wears hearing aids, as reported by a study carried out by Better Hearing Institute.
Somebody with moderate hearing loss can eliminate about 77% of the gap. That’s nearly the earning level of someone with normal hearing.
Even though hearing loss can be managed it’s not uncommon for people to disregard it during their working years. They might feel self-conscious about losing their hearing. They don’t want to appear “older” because of their hearing loss.
They may think that hearing aids are simply too costly for them. Most likely, they’re not aware that hearing loss gets worse faster if neglected, not to mention the previously discussed health concerns.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Not dealing with your hearing loss may be costing you more than you know. If you’ve been undecided about using hearing aids at work, it’s time to get a hearing test. Contact us and we can help you decide whether hearing aids would help.
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx