When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is often a big part of their self-worth. They base their self-image on what kind of job they do, what position they hold, and how much they make.

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 what you do for a living.

It’s not pleasant to consider 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 livelihood killer is the troublesome link between untreated hearing loss and career success.

Untreated Hearing Loss Raises Unemployment Rates

A person is over 200% more likely to be unemployed or underemployed if they have untreated hearing loss. Underemployment is generally defined as the condition of employees not earning up to their potential, either because they are not working full time or because the work does not use all of their marketable skills.

In practically any occupation, people with untreated hearing loss experience lots of difficulties. Doctors need to be able to hear their patients. A construction worker needs 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 entire lives in one line of work. They become quite good at what they do. If they can no longer execute that job well due to neglected hearing loss, it’s difficult to make a living doing something else.

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 about 75 cents for every dollar somebody with normal hearing makes. Many independent studies back this wage gap and demonstrate that that gap averages out at about $12,000 lost wages per year.

How much they lose strongly correlates with the severity of the hearing impairment. According to a study conducted on 80,000 participants, even people with slight hearing loss are potentially losing money.

What Are Some on The Job Struggles That Individuals With Hearing Loss Deal With?

A person with neglected hearing loss is 5 times more likely to take a sick day as a result of job stress.

From moment to moment, somebody with hearing loss experiences stresses that co-workers never see. Picture being in a meeting and straining to hear while everybody else is taking their hearing for granted. Now think about the stress of missing something significant.

That’s even more stressful.

Those with neglected 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.

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

• Social Isolation
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Dementia
• Depression

Reduced productivity is the result of all this. And given the challenges that someone suffering from hearing loss faces at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an available promotion.

Fortunately, this sad career prospect has a silver lining.

An Effective Career Solution

Studies also show that getting hearing loss treated can eliminate 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 revealed by a study carried out by Better Hearing Institute.

Somebody with moderate hearing loss can get rid of about 77% of the gap. That gets them almost up to the income of an individual in the same job with normal hearing.

Despite this positive news, many people fail to treat their hearing loss during those working years. They might feel embarrassed about losing their hearing. It makes them feel old.

Hearing aids may seem too expensive. Most likely, they’re not aware that hearing loss gets worse faster if left untreated, not to mention the previously discussed health concerns.

These studies are even more compelling when these common objections are taken into consideration. Leaving your hearing unaddressed is probably more expensive than you know. If you’ve been on the fence about using hearing aids at work, it’s time to have a hearing exam. 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