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Hearing Loss In the Workplace
As the workforce matures it is critical to individual and business success that hearing loss is addressed. As people are working later into life and hearing loss is becoming more prevalent at younger ages, hearing loss in the workplace is becoming a pertinent issue.
In addition to the emotional and physical stress and social struggles associated with hearing loss, it can contribute to reduced earnings, increased absenteeism, and lower productivity. Oftentimes, individuals with hearing loss could be interpreted by coworkers and supervisors as being aloof, rude, confused and may cause questions as to one's commitment to the organization.
In today's service-driven economy, good communication is critical to success for both the employee and employer. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, nearly 40 million American adults (18 and over) have hearing loss.
Approximately 60% of those with hearing loss are in the workforce or an educational setting. Dr. Mark Ross, audiologist, at Gallaudet University, studied the effects of hearing loss on those in the workforce.
The study examined the workplace compensation of three groups of people those with hearing loss wearing hearing aids; those with untreated hearing loss; and those with normal hearing. The study found that while the people with the mildest hearing losses show little or no drop in income compared to their normal hearing peers, as the hearing loss increases, so does the reduction in compensation.
The decline, according to the survey, is most apparent for the group with the more severe hearing losses. The income level of the worst group was about $14,000 less than that earned by the group with the mildest hearing losses.
“For the group with the most severe hearing losses, the income differential between the aided and unaided groups reaches the rather astounding figure of $31,000 a year,” Dr. Ross concludes in the study.
In addition to compensation, Dr. Ross' study also questioned the participants about whether they feel they are treated differently because of their hearing loss. Respondents in the middle age (45-64) unaided group, indicated that they felt they were being treated differently than their normal hearing peers, specifically regarding compensation equality. It was not the case for the same age group with hearing loss who wear hearing aids.
It is important to note, however, that a hearing aid can improve but not completely overcome these consequences.
“Even for hearing aid users,” according to Dr. Ross' study, “it's not as if the hearing loss has no effect. The results indicate that even with amplification, the group with the most severe hearing losses still earns about $11,000 less than their normal hearing peers.”
If you suspect you may have a hearing loss, ask yourself these questions Do you hear but not always understand what is said? Do you feel like other people mumble? Do you find yourself asking others to repeat themselves? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have a hearing loss.
Contact your local audiologist to schedule a hearing test or learn more about hearing loss and its possible impacts on your life.
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