When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is frequently a big part of their self-worth. Their self-image is frequently based on what job they have, their position, and how much they make.
What’s the first thing you think when somebody asks, “So what do you do”? It probably has something to do with your job.
People don’t like 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.
The troubling connection between job success and neglected hearing loss is precisely that career killer.
Untreated Hearing Loss Raises Unemployment Rates
A person with untreated hearing trouble is over 200% more likely to be underemployed or unemployed. If somebody isn’t working full time or has marketable capabilities that their not making use of and their not earning as much money as they should be, that’s defined as underemployed.
Those with neglected hearing loss face countless challenges in almost any occupation. Doctors need to be capable of hearing their patients. A construction worker needs to hear his co-workers in order to work together on a job. Even a librarian would find it hard to assist library patrons without her hearing.
Many people work their whole lives in one line of work. They know it very well. 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 Potential Hearing Impairment Wage Gap
Somebody with hearing loss earns only around 75 cents to every dollar that someone with normal hearing earns. Many independent studies back this wage gap and demonstrate that that gap averages out at about $12,000 lost wages per year.
The extent of hearing loss is strongly correlated with how much they lose. According to a study conducted on 80,000 participants, even people with moderate hearing loss are potentially losing money.
What Struggles do People With Hearing Loss Confront on The Job?
Job stress causes someone with hearing loss to take sick days 5 times more frequently than someone with normal hearing.
From moment to moment, someone with hearing loss copes with stresses that co-workers never recognize. Picture having to focus on hearing and comprehending in team meetings while others simply take hearing for granted. And missing an important piece of information is always a worry.
That’s even more stressful.
Those with neglected hearing loss are also 3 times as likely to have a serious fall or other accident while at work or at home. Your ability to work is impacted.
In addition to on the job issues, individuals with neglected hearing loss are at increased risk of:
- Paranoia
- Dementia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Social Isolation
Reduced productivity is the result of all this. And given the difficulties that a person suffering from hearing loss confronts at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an upcoming promotion.
Fortunately, this sad career prospect has an upside.
A Career Strategy That Works
The unemployment and wage gap can be mitigated by getting hearing aids according to some studies.
According to a Better Hearing Institute study, a person with slight hearing loss who wears hearing aids can get rid of the wage gap by up to 90-100%.
Someone with moderate hearing loss can eliminate about 77% of the gap. That gets them almost up to the earning of a person in the same field with normal hearing.
In spite of this positive news, many individuals leave their hearing loss untreated during those working years. They might feel embarrassed about losing their hearing. It makes them feel old.
They may think that hearing aids are simply too costly for them. They most likely don’t recognize that if hearing loss is left untreated, it worsens more quickly in addition to causing the other health concerns discussed above.
These studies are even more compelling when these common objections are taken into consideration. Not dealing with your hearing loss might be costing you more than you recognize. If you’ve been undecided about using hearing aids at work, it’s time to get a hearing assessment. Give us a call and we can help you decide 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