How Untreated Hearing Loss Can Affect Your Job
Hearing loss is a condition which is commonly associated with age. While the highest instances of hearing loss increase as we age, it is in fact, a condition which can affect us at any point in our life. Exposure to loud noise, certain medications, impact to the head, health conditions affecting the flow of blood or even ear infections may cause hearing loss. For those of us in our 40’s and 50’s we may be reluctant to address hearing loss as we assume it is not an issue yet. However, as years go by, unaddressed hearing loss can build up into serious implications for our emotional, cognitive, and physical health. For those of us still in the workforce, this can add up to an impact on our careers.
Hearing Loss in the Workforce
According to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), of the 15% of Americans who report some degree of hearing loss, about 60 percent are either in the workplace or an educational setting. Unaddressed this can add up into communication issues which will add up into frustrations, misunderstandings, loss of earnings, and higher rates of unemployment.
While the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers protections for people with hearing loss, you must know you have a hearing loss to receive said protections. Unfortunately for younger people in the workforce, they may be in denial of hearing loss, thinking they are too young to have this issue. However unaddressed hearing loss can affect your chances for promotions, raises and even continued employment
Hearing Loss and Communication in the Workforce
Hearing loss is a permanent condition which only gets worse the longer it goes undiagnosed. Nearly 22 million workers in the United States show signs on hearing exams which suggest noise induced hearing loss – many of these which may have been caused by noisy work environments in the first place. Even so, hearing loss can cause communication issues at work which affect continued success. When you struggle to hear, it may not only leave you feeling more exhausted after a simple interaction, but may cause you to miss directions, or mishear important instructions. Employers and coworkers may begin to rely on you less at work affecting earnings.
Impact on Earnings
This can lead to lower earnings in the workplace. Some studies suggest that that employees with hearing loss earn 25% less than people with normal hearing. Meanwhile some projections demonstrate a decrease of one’s annual income by as much as $30,000 in comparison to those with normal hearing or who use hearing aids.
A systematic review titled “The Economic Impact of Adult Hearing Loss”, found that In the United States, “estimates of the economic cost of lost productivity varied from $1.8 to $194 billion, and direct medical costs ranged from $3.3 to $12.8 billion. This shows that between studies hearing loss is associated with billions of dollars of excess personal and institutional costs.
Why People Put Off Treatment
While hearing loss is a permanent condition, it can be treated with hearing aids. These tiny digital devices can be programmed to amplify the sounds you struggle with specifically from the results of a hearing exam. Hearing aids have been found to increase productivity, communication and earnings in the workplaces. However, of those 12 to 69 years of age who could benefit from hearing aids, only 16 percent have ever tried them.
- Understanding the Importance of regular testing: Many put off treating hearing loss because they don’t even know they struggle with the condition.
- Stigma of hearing loss: Meanwhile others are reluctant to seek treatment due to stigmas in our society that admitting you have a hearing loss is a sign of aging or weakness. In truth, investing in your hearing health is a great way to stay active, connected, and healthy for years to come.
- Fear of the cost of hearing aids: Another daunting factor for hearing loss is the cost—however, while hearing aids can range from 1K to 5K, when you consider the loss of earnings in the workplace, the cost is a mere fraction of the risk of not treating this condition.
Be proactive about your hearing health by calling us today to make your appointment! Schedule an appointment with us today!