When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is often a huge part of their self-worth. Their self-image is often based on what job they have, their position, and their pay.
When someone asks “so what do you do?”, what’s the first thing you think. It’s probably to tell them about your occupation.
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 disturbing 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 untreated hearing loss. Underemployment is typically 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 make use of all of their marketable capabilities.
In practically any career, individuals with untreated hearing loss face many difficulties. A doctor needs to hear her patients. If they’re going to safely work together, construction workers need to be able to communicate. Even a librarian would find it hard to assist library patrons without her hearing.
Many individuals work their whole lives in one line of work. They become extremely good at what they do. For them, if they can’t hear well, it would be difficult to change to a different job and make a respectable living.
The Wage Gap Caused by Hearing Loss
Along with unemployment, those with hearing impairment all tend to suffer a significant wage gap, making about 75 cents for every dollar somebody with normal hearing earns. This wage gap is backed by numerous 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 severity of the hearing loss. Even individuals with moderate hearing loss are potentially losing money, based on a study of 80,000 people.
What Are Some on The Job Struggles That People With Hearing Loss Experience
Somebody with neglected hearing loss is 5 times more likely to take a sick day due to job stress.
From moment to moment, someone with hearing loss copes with stresses that co-workers never see. Envision being in a meeting and struggling to hear while everyone else is taking their hearing for granted. And missing an essential piece of information is always a concern.
That’s even worse.
Those with neglected 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 untreated hearing loss is at an increased danger, in addition to job concerns, of the following:
- Social Isolation
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Dementia
All of this results in decreased productivity. People with hearing loss experience so many difficulties, 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 outlook has an upside.
A Career Approach That Works
Studies also reveal that having your hearing loss treated can eliminate the unemployment and the wage gap.
According to a Better Hearing Institute study, somebody with mild hearing loss who wears hearing aids can erase the wage gap by as much as 90-100%.
About 77% of that gap can be eliminated for someone with moderate hearing loss. That gets them nearly up to the earning of an individual in the same field with normal hearing.
Even though hearing loss can be managed it isn’t uncommon for people to neglect it during their working years. They may feel embarrassed about losing their hearing. They don’t want to look “older” because of their hearing loss.
Hearing aids may seem too expensive. They probably don’t recognize that if hearing loss is left untreated, it worsens more quickly in addition to causing the other health problems mentioned above.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Not treating your hearing loss might be costing you more than you recognize. If you’ve been undecided about wearing hearing aids at work, it’s time to get a hearing exam. Contact us and we can help you figure out whether hearing aids would help.
References
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx