Working with Hearing Loss

Working with Hearing Loss

In Hearing Loss by Jennifer Douberly, Au.D.

In the United States, 60 percent of the workforce suffers from hearing loss in some form. Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors other than workplace noise. However, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified hearing loss as a leading occupational hazard for the past 25 years.

If you have hearing loss, your employer must make reasonable adjustments in the workplace for you. Reasonable accommodations level the playing field in the workplace for productivity and communication between you and your coworkers who do not have hearing loss.

We go over the adjustments your employer is expected to give for hard-of-hearing employees, from the job interview to day-to-day operations.

Interviewing with hearing loss

You are not compelled to reveal your hearing abilities to a potential employer due to federal rules ensuring equal opportunity. You can, however, seek accommodations while you’re interviewing to make the process go more smoothly.

You have the option of requesting assistive listening equipment or an interpreter during the interview. Remember that your potential employer is limited in the questions they can ask you about your hearing loss due to federal equal opportunity requirements.

Your boss may inquire about how you’re managing your hearing loss and whether you’re able to perform essential job functions. “Can you reply quickly to instructions in a noisy, fast-paced environment?” and “Do you have good communication skills?” are examples of these questions. “Are you able to meet the legally needed safety requirements to do these duties?” and “Are you able to meet the legally required safety standards to perform these duties?”

Answer honestly, and keep in mind that “Yes, with appropriate accommodations” is an acceptable option. On the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s website, you may learn more about reasonable accommodations that an employer may request. Furthermore, if you reveal your hearing loss after a potential employer has made an offer, they can only withdraw it if your hearing loss puts you or others on the job in danger.

On the job with hearing loss

Whether we like it or not, our hearing abilities will change with time. Many hearing specialists advise that persons over the age of 50 get annual hearing exams to keep track of their hearing ability. 

The law does not oblige you to inform your employers about your hearing loss. However, if you have difficulty working due to a lack of accommodations, you should contact your boss and request reasonable accommodations. According to the ADA, these enable you to match the same performance levels as hearing coworkers in equal positions and enjoy the same benefits and perks of employment as other employees.

Furthermore, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 forbids disability-related workplace harassment. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers hearing loss. You have the right to pursue discrimination charges if you are harassed at work by your supervisors or coworkers. Similarly, if you are demoted or fired because of your hearing loss, you have the right to submit a discrimination complaint.

Protect yourself on the job

Workplace noise, on the other hand, may contribute to hearing loss. Consider asking your company for personalized ear protection and annual hearing tests if you work in a noisy environment (construction, factory jobs, airports, dentistry, etc.). OSHA has a set of noise-control rules in place to safeguard employees from experiencing hearing loss while on the job. Noise reduction and noise-induced hearing loss can both be reduced with custom ear gear. Annual hearing examinations help you keep track of your ability and detect problems early.

Hearing aids could make all the difference

Hearing aid technology has gone a long way in recent years. Hearing aid features have advanced to the point that they can help people in a variety of professions. Thanks to Bluetooth, hearing aids can stream sounds directly from your phone or other electronic devices. At the same time, wireless technology allows you to stream sounds from your phone or other electronic devices directly to your hearing aids.

Hearing aid treatment reconnects you to the world around you, improves communication, and improves your work performance. According to several studies from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, people with hearing loss treated with hearing aids function at the same cognitive level as people with normal hearing.

Contact us today to learn more about hearing testing and hearing aids! Our team is here to help.