During the normal working years, many individuals build much of their perceived self-worth up around their job. They base their self-image on what type of job they have, what position they hold, and how much they earn.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when somebody asks, “So what do you do”? It’s most likely to tell them about your occupation.

People don’t want to have to think about what they’d do if their job was hindered. But if you like your job, then you should be aware of this career-breaker.

That career killer is the disturbing link between neglected hearing loss and career 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 someone isn’t working full time or has marketable capabilities that their not using and their not earning as much as they should be, that’s defined as underemployed.

Those who have neglected hearing loss face lots of challenges in nearly any line of work. A doctor needs to hear her 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 difficult to help library patrons.

Many individuals work their whole lives in one occupation. They know it very well. If they can no longer execute that job well because of neglected hearing loss, it’s tough to make a living doing something different.

The Potential Hearing Loss Wage Gap

In addition to unemployment, those with hearing impairment all have the tendency to experience a substantial wage gap, making around 75 cents for every dollar somebody with normal hearing earns. Many independent studies support this wage gap and demonstrate that that gap averages out at around $12,000 lost wages per year.

The extent of hearing loss is directly associated with how much they lose. According to a study conducted on 80,000 participants, even people with mild hearing loss are potentially losing money.

What Are Some on The Job Challenges That People With Hearing Loss Deal With?

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

Being incapable of hearing causes additional stress that other workers don’t endure on a moment-to-moment basis. Picture being in a meeting and straining to hear while everybody else is taking their hearing for granted. And missing an essential piece of information is always a worry.

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. Your ability to work is impacted.

On top of on the job concerns, people with neglected hearing loss are at increased danger of:

• Paranoia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Dementia
• Social Isolation

Reduced productivity is the result of all this. People who have hearing loss experience so many obstacles, both at work and in their personal lives, regrettably being passed over for a promotion is also a very real possibility.

Luckily, this sad career prospect has an upside.

An Effective Career Strategy

Studies also reveal that having your hearing loss treated can cancel out the unemployment and the wage gap.

The wage gap can be erased by 90 – 100% for somebody with minor hearing loss who uses hearing aids, as reported by a study carried out by Better Hearing Institute.

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

Even though hearing loss can be managed it isn’t uncommon for people to neglect 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 assume that hearing aids are just 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 challenges.

Considering these common objections, these studies hold additional significance. Not treating your hearing loss might be costing you more than you think. It’s time to have a hearing exam if you’re trying to decide if you should use hearing aids at work. 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