When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is often a big part of their self-worth. Their self-image is often based on what job they have, their position, and how much they make.
When someone asks “so what do you do?”, what’s the first thing you think. It’s most likely to tell them about what you do for a living.
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 be aware of this career-buster.
The troubling connection between job success and untreated hearing loss is precisely that livelihood killer.
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 impairment. If a person 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.
In almost any career, people with untreated hearing loss experience many challenges. A doctor needs to hear her 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 hard to help library patrons.
Lots of individuals remain in the same line of work their entire lives. They know it very well. For them, if they can’t hear well, it would be difficult to change to a different job and make a decent living.
The Wage Gap Caused by Hearing Impairment
Someone with hearing loss makes only about 75 cents to every dollar that somebody with normal hearing earns. This wage gap is backed by many independent studies that reveal that an individual loses as much as $12,000 in wages each year.
The extent of hearing loss is closely correlated with how much they lose. Even people with mild hearing loss are potentially losing money, according to a study of 80,000 people.
What Are Some on The Job Challenges That Individuals With Hearing Loss Face?
Somebody with untreated hearing loss is 5 times more likely to take a sick day due to job stress.
Being incapable of hearing causes added stress that other workers don’t experience on a moment-to-moment basis. Envision being in a meeting and struggling to hear while everyone else is taking their hearing for granted. Now think about 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 suffer from a fall. Your ability to work is impacted.
In addition to on the job issues, individuals with neglected hearing loss are at increased danger of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Social Isolation
- Dementia
All of this adds up to decreased productivity. And given the challenges that a person with hearing loss confronts at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an available promotion.
Thankfully, there’s a very bright upside to this dismal career outlook.
A Career Solution That Works
Studies also show that having your hearing loss treated can eliminate the unemployment and the wage gap.
According to a Better Hearing Institute study, someone with minor hearing loss who uses hearing aids can get rid of the wage gap by up to 90-100%.
A person with moderate hearing loss can eliminate about 77% of the gap. That gets them nearly up to the earning of a person in the same job with normal hearing.
In spite of this positive news, many individuals fail to treat their hearing loss during those working years. They may feel embarrassed about losing their hearing. It makes them feel old.
They may assume that hearing aids are simply too expensive for them. Most likely, they don’t know that hearing loss gets worse faster if left untreated, not to mention the previously mentioned health challenges.
Considering these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Not dealing with your hearing loss might be costing you more than you recognize. If you’ve been on the fence about using hearing aids at work, it’s time to get a hearing exam. Call us and we can help you determine whether hearing aids would help.
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References
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx