Hearing Loss in the Workplace

All our lives, we crave acceptance and approval from the people around us. This need increases when we enter our work life because it is a completely new environment for us where we have to work with people from all walks of life. Having approval from the people we work with and the people we work for is very important not only for our productivity but also for our self-esteem. Relationships built at work are pretty fragile and can be affected by any little thing. However, nothing can affect your self-esteem at work more than health issues. One such issue is hearing loss.

Causes of Hearing Loss:

Although hearing loss can have any number of causes but the most common ones are obesity, diabetes, and smoking. Obesity in itself can make people lose their confidence but when you are facing hearing loss on top of it, it is really going to harm your personality, and consequently your performance at work.

Hearing Problems in the American Work Force:

It is quite common for workers in America to have a hearing problem. Almost 10% of all full-time employees have a diagnosed hearing problem. In total, 40 million Americans suffer from some percentage of hearing loss and out of those 40 million, the majority is part of the workforce. Another big problem is undiagnosed hearing problems. A lot of people think that they may have a hearing problem but they never get it checked and as a result, continue to suffer despite treatment option being available.

Disadvantages of Ignored Hearing Problems:

When hearing loss remains undiagnosed or untreated, it can cause a lot of problems in your work life.

1. Decreased Productivity:

When your hearing is affected, you will feel too self-conscious all the time to focus on your work and as a result, your productivity will decrease.

2. Increased Fatigue:

When you have to try extra hard to focus on work, you will start feeling tired all the time. The stress from not being able to give your 100% will also cause tiredness.

3. Problems with Instructions:

Those with hearing loss will have problem receiving instructions from their employers and even from machines. They might feel embarrassed to ask again and again to receive instruction.

4. Decreased Social Interaction:

For a workplace to function smoothly, social interaction between employees is a must. But if you have a hearing problem, you won’t feel confident to join your colleagues for drinks and as a result, you won’t be able to become a part of the team.

5. At Risk During Emergency:

Your hearing problem may make it hard for you to hear a signal to evacuate during an emergency situation. If you work in a secluded place, your colleagues may not be able to alert you either.
Solution:

Hearing loss can affect your life negatively, and not only in the workplace. But the good news is that there are solutions. You can get hearing aids and other useful devices to make your life easier. Once you get help, you can stop living this way and improve the quality of your work and your life.
Audiology Clinic

The Audiology Clinic is a private independent diagnostic audiology practice. The specialists at the audiology clinic provide prevention, assessment and management of people with hearing, tinnitus and balance (vertigo/dizziness) disorders. All patients attending the audiology clinic are seen by Doctor of Audiology Dr Deepak Kumar.