We all want to be successful at work and to navigate our social and work-related conversations on the job with ease. That can be particularly difficult for those with hearing loss. Loss of hearing can lead to health problems, but few know the risks to their job prospects. Two recent studies have added weight to the idea that hearing loss can seriously affect your employability.
Studies find a link between hearing loss and employability
One study examined the effects (combined and separate) of hearing loss and eyesight issues on employment outcomes. The researchers found that those with a hearing or vision issue had about 20 percent lower odds of landing a position than American adults without any sensory impairment.
According to the authors, Varshini Varadaraj, MD, and Bonnielin K. Swenor, Ph.D., the results are not surprising: “This corroborates evidence from previous studies that have shown lower employment rates among those with sensory impairments, possibly because they face greater difficulties entering or remaining in the workforce.”
In a second study, published in the Journal of Otology & Neurotology, individuals with hearing loss nearly doubled their odds of being unemployed or underemployed relative to individuals with normal hearing.
The researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an ongoing cross-sectional, a nationally representative survey that measures the health of the US population.
Even after adjusting for schooling and demographic factors, the researchers found that hearing loss is independently associated with economic deprivation, including low income as well as unemployment.
As jobs for those with hearing loss are hard to come by, it follows that they also tend to earn less than their hearing peers. In fact, untreated hearing loss will decrease one’s annual income by as much as $30,000, according to the Hearing Health Foundation.
How hearing loss affects your employment prospects
Finding or maintaining work can be challenging if you have a hearing loss, for these reasons:
Interviews are audio-centric. A face-to-face meeting or phone screen is required for most jobs. Since these situations often require questions to be asked and answered orally, the cards are already stacked against the person with hearing loss.
Employers’ often equate hearing issues with a lack of competence. Unfortunately, some employers see those with hearing loss as less competent on the job, possibly because they are more likely to experience miscommunications with co-workers. However, it is important to remember that employers cannot discriminate qualified individuals in accordance with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations.
A lack of confidence from the person with hearing loss: Hearing loss can be an emotional experience and the social isolation in which results can raise the risk for all kinds of psychological issues, including anxiety, stress, and a breakdown in self-confidence. It’s not hard to see how this can knock the individual’s view of their skills and experience, which can discourage them from applying for jobs they are qualified for.
What can be done if you’re a job seeker
If you have a hearing loss and are on the job hunt, there are various things you can do to boost your career chances and not become statistics.
Know your rights during the interview phase. The ADA and EEOC contains strict guidelines on what an employer can ask a job applicant about in an interview with regards to their disabilities, to ensure that they are not dismissed due to their hearing loss. An employer can nevertheless ask about the candidate’s ability to perform the position’s essential functions.
Use a hearing aid. Today’s hearing aids are equipped with robust features and are designed all day long to fit perfectly into your ear. Their sophisticated digital technologies can be tailored for any lifestyle, and they are much more discreet than they have ever been. Studies have found that people who use hearing aids to treat hearing loss have the same earning power as colleagues with normal hearing.
Hearing Wellness Solutions
The first thing to do if you suspect you have a hearing loss is to visit us at Hearing Wellness Solutions and have your hearing evaluated. The tests are quick and painless, and we can determine what type of hearing loss you have and how best to treat it. Contact us today!
