When people are at an age where they are still working, their job is frequently a large part of their self-worth. They base their self-image on what kind of job they have, what position they have, and how much they make.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone asks, “So what do you do”? It most likely has something to do with what you do for a living.
It’s not enjoyable to consider what you would do if something took your living away. But there’s a career-breaker out there that should make anyone who loves their work pay attention.
The troubling connection between career success and untreated hearing loss is precisely that livelihood killer.
Unemployment Rate is Higher With Untreated Hearing Loss
Someone with untreated 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.
Those with untreated hearing loss face many obstacles in nearly any line of work. Doctors need to be able to hear their patients. A construction worker has 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 people work their entire lives in one line of work. They become quite good at what they do. If they can no longer do that job well because of untreated hearing loss, it’s difficult to make a living doing something different.
The Potential Hearing Loss Wage Gap
In addition to unemployment, those with hearing loss all tend to suffer a significant wage gap, making around 75 cents for every dollar somebody with normal hearing makes. This wage gap is supported by numerous independent studies that reveal that an individual loses as much as $12,000 in wages every year.
The severity of hearing loss is strongly linked with how much they lose. According to a study conducted on 80,000 participants, even people with mild hearing loss are potentially losing money.
What Struggles do Those Who Suffer From Hearing Loss Deal With on The Job?
Job stress causes somebody with hearing loss to take sick days 5 times more often than someone with normal hearing.
From moment to moment, someone with hearing loss experiences stresses that co-workers never see. Imagine being in a meeting and struggling to hear while everybody else is taking their hearing for granted. Now imagine the stress of missing something significant.
That’s even more stressful.
While on or off the job, it’s three times more likely that somebody with neglected hearing loss will have a fall. Both impact your ability to do the work.
On top of on the job issues, people with untreated hearing loss are at increased risk of:
- Paranoia
- Social Isolation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Dementia
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.
Fortunately, this sad career prospect has an upside.
A Career Strategy That Works
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 a person with minor hearing loss who wears hearing aids, as reported by a study done by Better Hearing Institute.
Somebody with moderate hearing loss can eliminate about 77% of the gap. That gets them nearly up to the earning of an individual in the same field with normal hearing.
In spite of 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.
Hearing aids may seem too costly. Most likely, they don’t know that hearing loss gets worse faster if neglected, not to mention the previously mentioned health concerns.
These studies are even more compelling when these common objections are taken into consideration. Leaving your hearing untreated is likely more costly than you recognize. It’s time to get a hearing exam if you’re trying to decide if you should use hearing aids at work. Contact us so we can help you make that decision.
References
https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment,_Lower_Income.2.aspx
