When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is often a huge part of their self-worth. Their self-image is frequently based on what job they have, their position, and how much they make.
When someone asks “so what do you do?”, what’s the first thing you think. It’s most likely to tell them about what you do for a living.
It’s not enjoyable to think about what would happen if something took your living away. But there’s a career-buster out there that should make anybody who loves their work pay attention.
That livelihood killer is the troublesome link between untreated hearing loss and career success.
Unemployment Rate is Higher With Untreated Hearing Loss
Someone with untreated hearing trouble is over 200% more likely to be underemployed or unemployed. If a person isn’t working full time or has marketable capabilities 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, individuals with untreated hearing loss face many difficulties. A doctor needs to hear her patients. A construction worker needs to hear his co-workers in order to work with each other on a job. Even a librarian would find it hard to help library patrons without her hearing.
Many individuals work their whole lives in one occupation. They become extremely good at what they do. For them, if they can’t hear well, it would be difficult to change to a different career and make a respectable living.
The Wage Gap Caused by Hearing Impairment
Somebody with hearing loss makes only around 75 cents to every dollar that someone with normal hearing earns. Numerous independent studies back this wage gap and show that that gap averages out at about $12,000 lost wages every year.
The extent of hearing loss is closely linked with how much they lose. According to a study conducted on 80,000 individuals, even people with moderate hearing loss are potentially losing money.
What Challenges do Those With Hearing Loss Confront on The Job?
Someone with neglected hearing loss is 5 times more likely to take a sick day as a result of job stress.
Being incapable of hearing causes added stress that peers don’t experience on a moment-to-moment basis. Imagine needing to concentrate on hearing and understanding in team meetings while others just take hearing for granted. And missing out on a crucial piece of information is always a concern.
That’s even more stressful.
Those with neglected hearing loss are also 3 times as likely to have a significant fall or other accident while on or off the job. Both impact your ability to do the work.
Someone with neglected hearing loss is at an increased danger, in addition to job concerns, of the following:
- Depression
- Dementia
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Social Isolation
Decreased productivity is the consequence of all this. And given the difficulties that a person suffering from hearing loss deals with at work and in life, they may also not be considered for an upcoming promotion.
Luckily, this sad career prospect has a silver lining.
An Effective Career Strategy
Studies also reveal that getting hearing loss treated can eliminate the unemployment and the wage gap.
The wage gap can be erased by 90 – 100% for someone with minor hearing loss who uses hearing aids, as revealed by a study carried out by Better Hearing Institute.
A person with moderate hearing loss can eliminate about 77% of the gap. That’s about the earning level of somebody with normal hearing.
Despite this positive news, many people leave their hearing loss untreated during those working years. They feel that losing their hearing is embarrassing. It makes them feel old.
They may think that hearing aids are simply too expensive for them. They probably don’t comprehend that if hearing loss is left untreated, it worsens more quickly in addition to triggering the other health problems mentioned above.
In light of these common objections, these studies hold additional significance. Not treating your hearing loss may be costing you more than you think. If you’ve been on the fence about wearing hearing aids at work, it’s time to get a hearing exam. Get in touch with us so we can help you make that decision.
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx