During the normal 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 do, what position they have, and how much they earn.
What’s the first thing you think 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 enjoyable to consider what would happen if something took your career away. But if you like your job, then you should take note of this career-buster.
That livelihood killer is the disturbing link between neglected hearing loss and job success.
Untreated Hearing Loss Raises Unemployment Rates
A person is over 200% more likely to be unemployed or underemployed if they have untreated hearing impairment. 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 make use of all of their marketable skills.
Those with untreated 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 together on a job. And without the ability to hear, even a librarian would find it hard to help library patrons.
Lots of people remain in the same line of work their whole lives. They become quite good at what they do. If they can no longer execute that job well due to neglected hearing loss, it’s hard to make a living doing something else.
The Potential Hearing Loss Wage Gap
Along with unemployment, those with hearing impairment all have the tendency 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 show that a person loses as much as $12,000 in income every year.
The extent of hearing loss is directly associated with how much they lose. Even individuals with moderate hearing loss are potentially losing money, according to a study of 80,000 people.
What Are Some on The Job Struggles That Individuals With Hearing Loss Face?
Job stress causes somebody with hearing loss to take sick days 5 times more frequently than somebody with normal hearing.
From moment to moment, someone with hearing loss copes with stresses that co-workers never see. Imagine being in a meeting and straining to hear while everyone else is taking their hearing for granted. And missing out on a crucial piece of information is always a worry.
That’s even worse.
While at work or at home, it’s three times more likely that somebody with untreated hearing loss will suffer from a fall. Both impact your ability to do the work.
Someone with neglected hearing loss is at an increased risk, in addition to job challenges, of the following:
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dementia
- Social Isolation
Decreased productivity is the result of all this. And given the difficulties that a person suffering from hearing loss confronts at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an upcoming promotion.
Thankfully, there’s a really bright silver lining to this dismal career outlook.
A Career Approach That Works
Studies also reveal that having your hearing loss treated can cancel out the unemployment and the wage gap.
The wage gap can be decreased by 90 – 100% for someone with minor hearing loss who wears hearing aids, as reported by a study done by Better Hearing Institute.
About 77% of that gap can be removed for a person with moderate hearing loss. That’s nearly the earning level of somebody with normal hearing.
Even though hearing loss can be corrected it isn’t uncommon for people to neglect it during their working years. They think that losing their hearing is embarrassing. They don’t want to appear “older” because of their hearing loss.
Hearing aids might seem too costly. Most likely, they don’t know that hearing loss gets worse faster if left untreated, not to mention the previously discussed health concerns.
Considering these common objections, these studies hold additional significance. Leaving your hearing untreated is probably more costly than you know. If you’ve been on the fence 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.
References
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx
