When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is often a huge part of their self-worth. They base their self-image on what kind of job they have, what position they hold, 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 what you do for a living.
It’s not pleasant to think about what would happen if something took your career away. But if you like your job, then you should take note of this career-breaker.
The troubling connection between career success and neglected hearing loss is precisely that livelihood killer.
Untreated Hearing Loss Raises Unemployment Rates
A person with neglected 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 using and their not earning as much as they should be, that’s defined as underemployed.
In practically any career, individuals with neglected hearing loss face lots of challenges. Doctors need to be able to hear their patients. If they’re going to efficiently work together, construction workers have to be able to communicate. And without the ability to hear, even a librarian would find it difficult to help library patrons.
Lots of people stay in the same occupation their whole lives. They become very good at what they do. If they can no longer execute that job well because of untreated hearing loss, it’s tough to make a living doing something else.
The Potential Hearing Impairment Wage Gap
In addition to unemployment, those with hearing impairment all have the tendency to experience a significant wage gap, making about 75 cents for every dollar somebody with normal hearing earns. Numerous independent studies back this wage gap and demonstrate that that gap averages out at around $12,000 lost wages every year.
How much they lose directly correlates with the severity of the hearing loss. According to a study conducted on 80,000 participants, even people with mild hearing loss are potentially losing money.
What Struggles do Individuals Who Suffer From Hearing Loss Confront on The Job?
Job stress causes a person with hearing loss to take sick days 5 times more frequently than someone with functional hearing.
From moment to moment, someone with hearing loss experiences stresses that co-workers never see. Envision having to focus on hearing and comprehending in team meetings while others simply take hearing for granted. Now think about the anxiety of missing something significant.
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 on or off the job. Your ability to work is impacted.
Somebody with neglected hearing loss is at an increased risk, in addition to job challenges, of the following:
- Depression
- Social Isolation
- Dementia
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
Reduced productivity is the result of all this. People with hearing loss face so many obstacles, both at work and in their personal lives, regrettably being passed over for a promotion is also a very real possibility.
Fortunately, this sad career prospect has a silver lining.
A Career Approach 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, a person with minor hearing loss who uses hearing aids can get rid of the wage gap by as much as 90-100%.
About 77% of that gap can be mitigated for somebody with moderate hearing loss. That’s nearly the earning level of someone who has normal hearing.
Even though hearing loss can be corrected it isn’t uncommon for people to disregard it during their working years. They feel that losing their hearing is embarrassing. They don’t want to appear “older” because of their hearing loss.
They may assume that hearing aids are simply too costly for them. Most likely, they’re not aware that hearing loss gets worse faster if neglected, not to mention the previously discussed health challenges.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold additional significance. Not dealing with your hearing loss might be costing you more than you think. It’s time to have a hearing test if you’re trying to determine if you should use hearing aids at work. Give us a call 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