Your supervisor just assigned an important project to you and is giving you instructions on how to tackle it. You’re having trouble hearing her, but rather than ask her to repeat herself, you decide to figure things out as you go.
You’re not feeling confident about this assignment, but you ask yourself, “What’s worse—making a mistake on the job or admitting that I have hearing loss?
Untreated hearing loss can affect your bottom line
When hardworking professionals with untreated hearing loss are not able to hear important instructions from their boss, participate fully in meetings or understand all that was said on a conference call, it can lead to feelings of insecurity and low confidence in the workplace. It can also have tangible economic consequences.
A national survey conducted by the Better Hearing Institute in the United States found that hearing loss can have a negative impact on household income of up to $12,000 per year, on average, depending on the degree of hearing loss. However, the use of hearing instruments was shown to mitigate the effects of hearing loss by 50 per cent.
At the time of the study (2007), the cost of untreated hearing loss at the national level was estimated to be more than $100 billion annually.
What else can untreated hearing loss lead to?
In addition to affecting your productivity, performance and success in the workplace, the Better Hearing Institute survey and other research has found that untreated hearing loss can lead to the following:
- losses in compensation due to underemployment
- higher rates of unemployment
- anxiety, depression, social isolation and social paranoia
- decreased medical health, emotional stability and cognitive function
Take action to treat your hearing loss
If you feel like your hearing loss is affecting your performance, productivity and relationships at work—and elsewhere—it may be time to take action and contact a professional who can assess your situation and advise you on the best way to treat your hearing needs.
Capital City Audiology has been providing patients in the Edmonton area with innovative audiology solutions for more than 20 years. Schedule an appointment with one of our experienced audiologists and discover how we can help you succeed.
To read the study from the Better Hearing Institute, “The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss on Household Income,” click here.