During the typical working years, many individuals build a lot of their perceived self-worth up around their job. They base their self-image on what type of job they do, what position they hold, and how much they make.
When someone asks “so what do you do?”, what’s the first thing you think. It’s probably to tell them about your occupation.
It’s not pleasant to think about what you would do if something took your living away. But there’s a career-breaker out there that should make anybody who loves their work pay attention.
That career killer is the troublesome link between neglected hearing loss and job success.
Unemployment Rate is Higher With Untreated Hearing Loss
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 skills that their not making use of and their not making as much as they should be, that’s defined as underemployed.
In nearly any career, people with untreated hearing loss experience many difficulties. Doctors need to be able to hear their patients. If they’re going to efficiently work together, construction workers need to be able to communicate. Even a librarian would find it difficult to help 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 do that job well due to untreated hearing loss, it’s tough to make a living doing something else.
The Potential Hearing Loss Wage Gap
On top of unemployment, those with hearing loss all have the tendency to suffer a significant wage gap, making around 75 cents for every dollar a person with normal hearing makes. Numerous independent studies support this wage gap and show that that gap averages out at about $12,000 lost wages every year.
The extent of hearing loss is directly associated with how much they lose. According to a study conducted on 80,000 individuals, even people with slight hearing loss are potentially losing money.
What Struggles do People Who Suffer From Hearing Loss Deal With on The Job?
A person with neglected hearing loss is 5 times more likely to take a sick day as a result of job stress.
From moment to moment, somebody with hearing loss copes with stresses that co-workers never see. Envision being in a meeting and straining to hear while everybody else is taking their hearing for granted. And missing out on a crucial piece of information is always a worry.
That’s even worse.
Those with untreated hearing loss are also 3 times as likely to have a significant fall or other accident while at work or at home. Your ability to work is impacted.
Someone with untreated hearing loss is at an increased risk, in addition to job challenges, of the following:
- Dementia
- Anxiety
- Social Isolation
- Paranoia
- Depression
Decreased productivity is the consequence of all this. And given the obstacles 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 Solution That Works
The unemployment and wage gap can be mitigated by getting hearing aids according to some studies.
The wage gap can be decreased by 90 – 100% for someone with minor hearing loss who wears hearing aids, as revealed by a study done by Better Hearing Institute.
About 77% of that gap can be removed for a person with moderate hearing loss. That’s about the earning level of someone with normal hearing.
In spite of this positive news, many individuals fail to treat their hearing loss during those working years. They may feel embarrassed about losing their hearing. It makes them feel old.
They may think that hearing aids are just 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 significant when these common objections are taken into account. Not dealing with your hearing loss may be costing you more than you think. It’s time to have a hearing exam if you’re trying to decide if you should wear hearing aids at work. Call us and we can help you figure out 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