Did you hear the latest? According to a recent study published by the Better Hearing Institute, your earning power can be severely impacted by hearing loss. Those with profound hearing loss may be earning up to $20,000 a year less than their hearing colleagues. Studies indicated that the more hearing loss a person suffered, the more their income was impacted.
Hearing is crucial for most every type of job. Nearly every career situation requires dealing with the public and other employees. The ability to hear may also be necessary for job safety. Without hearing aids or implants a person may miss out on important inter-office communications, new safety policies and even just the regular social bonding that takes place in the lunchroom– and the usual watercooler chit-chat. (AND We all know one’s social standing in the office is often far more important when applying for a promotion than work history.)
People with hearing loss may continue to make procedure mistakes because of hearing misunderstandings, and they may at times appear socially inept or awkward. Continuing on the job stress from lack of hearing may lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem and social isolation that can negatively impact on the job performance.
Often people with hearing loss put off getting hearing aids because of vanity and fear people will realize they have hearing loss. What they don’t realize is you cannot hide a hearing loss. Most everyone around you knows. In the meantime, while you’re trying to hide your “secret” wonderful opportunities are passing you by.
The good news is depending on the severity of hearing loss, those with hearing aids or cochlear implants could earn as much as, or nearly what their hearing counterparts earned. Moreover, they felt more confident to pursue promotions, had higher self-esteem and felt less stress in the workplace.
