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

When someone asks “so what do you do?”, what’s the first thing you think. 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 value your job, then you should take note of this career-buster.

That career killer is the troublesome link between untreated hearing loss and job 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. 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 does not use all of their marketable skills.

In nearly any occupation, individuals with neglected hearing loss experience many challenges. Doctors need to be capable of hearing their 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 hard to help library patrons.

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

The Wage Gap Caused by Hearing Loss

Someone with hearing loss makes only around 75 cents to every dollar that somebody with normal hearing earns. This wage gap is backed by many independent studies that show that a person loses as much as $12,000 in wages every year.

The severity 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 Challenges do Those With Hearing Loss Face on The Job?

Job stress causes somebody with hearing loss to take sick days 5 times more frequently than somebody with functional hearing.

From moment to moment, someone with hearing loss experiences stresses that co-workers never recognize. Envision having to focus on hearing and comprehending in team meetings while others simply take hearing for granted. Now imagine the stress of missing something significant.

That’s even worse.

Those with untreated hearing loss are also 3 times as likely to have a significant fall or other accident while on or off the job. Both impact your ability to do the work.

Somebody with neglected hearing loss is at an increased danger, in addition to job concerns, of the following:

• Social Isolation
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Dementia
• Depression

All of this results in reduced productivity. People with hearing loss face so many difficulties, both at work and in their personal lives, unfortunately being passed over for a promotion is also a very real possibility.

Fortunately, this sad career outlook has a silver lining.

An Effective Career Strategy

The unemployment and wage gap can be mitigated by wearing hearing aids according to some studies.

According to a Better Hearing Institute study, a person with minor hearing loss who wears hearing aids can get rid of the wage gap by as much as 90-100%.

Somebody with moderate hearing loss can eliminate about 77% of the gap. That gets them almost 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 ignore it during their working years. They feel that losing their hearing is embarrassing. They don’t want to seem “older” because of their hearing loss.

They may think that hearing aids are just too costly for them. Most likely, they don’t know 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 account. Leaving your hearing untreated is likely more costly than you know. If you’ve been undecided about wearing hearing aids at work, it’s time to have a hearing test. 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