Many factors can contribute to the risk of unemployment, and most of these are out of our control. The dynamics of individual businesses can change their need for workers over time, and responses to the economy are important factors in hiring and firing decisions, as well.

However, two recent studies have demonstrated a link between hearing loss and unemployment. Particularly when compounded with impaired vision, these statistics give us pause regarding the relation between ability, disability, and employment. Let’s take a look at these two studies before turning to consider the possibility of treatment for hearing loss.

Hearing Loss and Unemployment

The first study, authored by doctors Susan D. Emmett and Howard W. Francis at Johns Hopkins University, used a nationally representative sample of 3,379 adults aged 20-69 years old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Along with the survey data collected in the study, a supplemental examination included a hearing test called “pure tone audiometry.”

This test plays a series of tones and asks the patient to gesture or press a button when they hear a sound. The sounds are played at a range of frequencies and volumes to find out how loud a sound needs to be for a person to be able to hear it. The study paired information about education and demographic factors with the incidence of hearing loss, and the findings were remarkable. In addition to finding that those with hearing loss were likely to have a lower level of education, controlling for other factors, they also found that people with hearing loss were nearly two times as likely to be unemployed (1.98 higher odds of unemployment or underemployment).

This remarkable finding was echoed in another study coming from Johns Hopkins University under the direction of doctors Varshini Varadaraj and Yunmeng Wang. This study was curious about the relationship with vision impairment, as well. Not only did they confirm the finding that hearing loss was correlated with higher rates of unemployment, but they found an added effect for those who had both hearing and vision impairment. This dual effect led to even higher rates of unemployment among those in their study.

Possible Explanations

Although these studies found a significant relationship between hearing loss and unemployment, they did not come up with a definitive explanation for how that relationship came about. Certainly, some people are dismissed from their jobs as a direct act of discrimination against people with hearing loss. Though it is illegal to do so, we know that some employers are able to get around regulations that prohibit termination of this kind. Yet, is this the whole story?

Another possible explanation for the relationship between unemployment and hearing loss has to do with some of the practical struggles caused by hearing loss in the workplace. It is possible that untreated hearing loss makes it more difficult to communicate with coworkers and supervisors. Furthermore, it is difficult to hear, understand, and appropriately respond to instructions in the workplace when hearing loss gets in the way of the communication process. Other interpersonal issues can arise when communication is compromised by hearing loss, and these misunderstandings can lead to strained workplace dynamics, as well.

Treating Hearing Loss

If you feel like hearing loss might be getting in the way of your workplace performance, the time is now to seek out a hearing test. It is all too easy to make excuses for not getting a test, but the reality is that hearing loss might be having a negative effect on your life in ways that you don’t even realize.

Once you have taken a test, we will consult with you regarding potential paths of treatment, including hearing aids. The remarkable new innovations in hearing aid technology can make it possible to find a set of aids that assist you in a variety of contexts, including while at work. Some hearing aids are specifically suited to speech recognition, making incredible improvements to your ability to carry on conversations at work without misunderstandings. Don’t allow hearing loss to get in the way of your success any longer!