When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is frequently 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 somebody asks, “So what do you do”? It most likely 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 there’s a career-breaker out there that should make anybody who loves their work pay attention.
That career killer is the disturbing link between untreated hearing loss and career success.
Untreated Hearing Loss Raises Unemployment Rates
A person with neglected hearing trouble is over 200% more likely to be unemployed or underemployed. Underemployment is commonly 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 expertise.
Those with untreated hearing loss face countless obstacles in nearly any line of work. Doctors need to be able to hear their patients. If they’re going to safely 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 whole lives in one occupation. They know it really well. If they can no longer do that job well due to untreated hearing loss, it’s hard to make a living doing something else.
The Potential Hearing Loss Wage Gap
Somebody with hearing loss earns only around 75 cents to every dollar that somebody with normal hearing earns. This wage gap is supported by many independent studies that show that a person loses as much as $12,000 in wages each year.
How much they lose closely correlates with the extent of the hearing impairment. Even individuals with moderate 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 Face?
Somebody with neglected hearing loss is 5 times more likely to take a sick day as a result of job stress.
From moment to moment, somebody with hearing loss experiences stresses that co-workers never see. Picture having to focus on hearing and comprehending in team meetings while others simply take hearing for granted. Now think about the stress of missing something significant.
That’s even worse.
While at work or at home, it’s three times more likely that somebody with untreated hearing loss will have a fall. Your ability to work is impacted.
In addition to on the job issues, people with untreated hearing loss are at increased risk of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dementia
- Social Isolation
- Paranoia
Reduced productivity is the result of all this. People who have hearing loss face so many obstacles, both at work and in their personal lives, regrettably being passed over for a promotion is also a very real possibility.
Luckily, there’s a really bright upside to this dismal career outlook.
A Career Approach That Works
Studies also show that having your hearing loss treated can get rid of 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 revealed by a study carried out by Better Hearing Institute.
About 77% of that gap can be mitigated for a person with moderate hearing loss. That’s nearly the earning level of someone who has normal hearing.
In spite of this positive news, many people leave their hearing loss untreated during those working years. They might feel embarrassed about losing their hearing. It makes them feel old.
Hearing aids might seem too expensive. They most likely don’t realize that if hearing loss is neglected, it worsens more quickly in addition to causing the other health concerns mentioned above.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Not addressing your hearing loss may be costing you more than you think. It’s time to have a hearing exam if you’re trying to decide if you should use hearing aids at work. Contact us so we can help you make that decision.
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx