During the typical working years, many individuals build a lot of their perceived self-worth up around their job. Their self-image is often based on what job they have, their position, and how much they make.
When somebody 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 hampered. But there’s a career-breaker out there that should make anyone who loves their work perk up and listen.
That career killer is the troublesome link between neglected hearing loss and career success.
Unemployment Rate is Higher With Untreated Hearing Loss
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 capabilities that their not making use of and their not making as much as they should be, that’s defined as underemployed.
Those who have untreated hearing loss face many challenges in nearly any line of work. A doctor needs to hear her patients. If they’re going to safely work together, construction workers have to be able to communicate. Even a librarian would find it difficult to help library patrons without her hearing.
Many individuals work their whole lives in one occupation. They become very good at what they do. If they can no longer perform that job well due to untreated hearing loss, it’s hard to make a living doing something else.
The Wage Gap Caused by Hearing Impairment
In addition to unemployment, those with hearing impairment all tend to experience a significant wage gap, making about 75 cents for every dollar someone with normal hearing makes. Many independent studies back this wage gap and demonstrate that that gap averages out at about $12,000 lost wages per year.
The degree of hearing loss is closely linked with how much they lose. Even individuals with moderate hearing loss are potentially losing money, according to a study of 80,000 people.
What Struggles do Those Who Suffer From Hearing Loss Face on The Job?
Job stress causes a person with hearing loss to take sick days 5 times more often than somebody with normal hearing.
From moment to moment, someone with hearing loss experiences stresses that co-workers never recognize. Picture being in a meeting and struggling to hear while everyone else is taking their hearing for granted. Now think about the anxiety of missing something important.
That’s even more stressful.
Those with untreated hearing loss are also 3 times as likely to have a serious fall or other accident while on or off the job. Your ability to work is impacted.
Someone with neglected hearing loss is at an increased danger, in addition to job challenges, of the following:
- Paranoia
- Dementia
- Depression
- Social Isolation
- Anxiety
All of this results in reduced productivity. And given the difficulties that someone suffering from hearing loss experiences 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 reveal that getting hearing loss treated can cancel out the unemployment and the wage gap.
According to a Better Hearing Institute study, somebody with mild hearing loss who wears hearing aids can get rid of the wage gap by up to 90-100%.
About 77% of that gap can be eliminated for a person with moderate hearing loss. That gets them almost up to the earning of an individual in the same job with normal hearing.
In spite of this positive news, many people fail to treat their hearing loss during those working years. They might feel self-conscious about losing their hearing. It makes them feel old.
They may think that hearing aids are just too costly for them. They probably don’t comprehend that if hearing loss is neglected, it worsens more quickly in addition to causing the other health problems discussed above.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold added significance. Leaving your hearing untreated is likely more costly than you recognize. If you’ve been undecided about using hearing aids at work, it’s time to have a hearing assessment. 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
