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 frequently based on what job they have, their position, and their pay.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone asks, “So what do you do”? It probably has something to do with your job.
People don’t want to have to think about what they’d do if their job was hindered. But if you value your job, then you should take note of this career-breaker.
That livelihood killer is the troublesome link between untreated hearing loss and job success.
Untreated Hearing Loss Raises Unemployment Rates
Someone with untreated hearing problems is over 200% more likely to be unemployed or underemployed. If someone isn’t working full time or has marketable skills that their not making use of and their not earning as much as they should be, that’s defined as underemployed.
Those with untreated hearing loss face countless challenges in almost any line of work. A doctor needs to hear her patients. If they’re going to safely work together, construction workers need to be able to communicate. And without the ability to hear, even a librarian would find it hard to help library patrons.
Many individuals work their entire 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 career and make a decent living.
The Potential Hearing Loss Wage Gap
Someone with hearing loss earns only around 75 cents to every dollar that someone with normal hearing earns. This wage gap is backed by numerous independent studies that show that an individual loses up to $12,000 in income each year.
The extent of hearing loss is strongly correlated with how much they lose. According to a study conducted on 80,000 individuals, even people with slight hearing loss are potentially losing money.
What Are Some on The Job Challenges That Individuals With Hearing Loss Face
Job stress causes someone with hearing loss to take sick days 5 times more often than somebody with normal hearing.
Being incapable of hearing causes additional stress that peers don’t endure on a moment-to-moment basis. Envision being in a meeting and straining to hear while everybody else is taking their hearing for granted. Now imagine the stress of missing something important.
That’s even more stressful.
While at work or at home, it’s three times more likely that someone with neglected hearing loss will have a fall. Your ability to work is impacted.
On top of on the job issues, people with untreated hearing loss are at increased risk of:
- Social Isolation
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Dementia
All of this adds up to reduced productivity. And given the obstacles that a person suffering from hearing loss confronts at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an upcoming promotion.
Luckily, there’s a very bright upside to this dismal career outlook.
An Effective Career Strategy
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 someone with minor hearing loss who wears hearing aids, as reported by a study conducted by Better Hearing Institute.
A person with moderate hearing loss can get rid of about 77% of the gap. That gets them almost up to the earning of a person in the same field with normal hearing.
Even though hearing loss can be managed it isn’t uncommon for people to ignore it during their working years. They feel that losing their hearing is embarrassing. They don’t want to look “older” because of their hearing loss.
They may assume that hearing aids are just too costly for them. Most likely, they’re not aware that hearing loss gets worse faster if left untreated, not to mention the previously discussed health concerns.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Leaving your hearing unaddressed is likely more costly than you recognize. It’s time to have a hearing test if you’re trying to determine if you should wear hearing aids at work. Contact 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