During the standard working years, many individuals build much of their perceived self-worth up around their occupation. They base their self-image on what type of job they have, what position they have, and how much they earn.
When someone asks “so what do you do?”, what’s the first thing that comes to mind. It probably has something to do with what you do for a living.
People don’t want to have to think about what they’d do if their livelihood was hindered. But if you like your job, then you should take note of this career-breaker.
That career killer is the troublesome link between neglected hearing loss and job success.
Unemployment Rate is Higher With Untreated Hearing Loss
A person with untreated hearing trouble is over 200% more likely to be unemployed or underemployed. If somebody isn’t working full time or has marketable skills that their not making use of and their not making as much as they should be, that’s defined as underemployed.
In nearly any career, individuals with untreated hearing loss face lots of challenges. A doctor needs to hear her patients. If they’re going to efficiently work together, construction workers have to be able to communicate. 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 know it very well. If they can no longer perform that job well because of untreated hearing loss, it’s tough to make a living doing something different.
The Wage Gap Caused by Hearing Impairment
Somebody with hearing loss earns only about 75 cents to every dollar that 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 every year.
How much they lose strongly correlates with the extent of the hearing loss. Even individuals with mild hearing loss are potentially losing money, based on a study of 80,000 people.
What Are Some on The Job Challenges That People With Hearing Loss Experience?
A person with untreated 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 see. Imagine needing to focus on hearing and understanding in team meetings while others just take hearing for granted. And missing out on an essential piece of information is always a worry.
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. Both impact your ability to do the work.
Somebody with untreated hearing loss is at an increased risk, in addition to job concerns, of the following:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Dementia
- Depression
- Social Isolation
All of this results in decreased productivity. And given the difficulties that someone suffering from hearing loss experiences at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an available promotion.
Fortunately, there’s a very bright upside to this dismal career outlook.
An Effective Career Solution
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 revealed by a study carried out by Better Hearing Institute.
Somebody with moderate hearing loss can remove about 77% of the gap. That gets them nearly up to the earning of an individual in the same field with normal hearing.
Despite this positive news, many individuals fail to treat their hearing loss during those working years. They feel that losing their hearing is embarrassing. It makes them feel old.
They may assume that hearing aids are just too expensive for them. Most likely, they’re not aware that hearing loss gets worse faster if neglected, not to mention the previously mentioned health challenges.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Not dealing with your hearing loss may be costing you more than you recognize. It’s time to get a hearing test if you’re trying to determine if you should use hearing aids at work. Call us and we can help you decide whether hearing aids would help.
References
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx
