With decades of experience in the audiology industry, we’ve encountered a great number of people coping with loss of hearing. One of the most common misconceptions about a hearing impairment is that its effects are limited to the individual. In reality, hearing loss can have a toll on many areas of your life, including personal relationships, overall health and even your career. The effects of hearing loss in the professional world are becoming more apparent, as individuals are staying in the workforce longer than in previous generations.
In our communication-dependent society, hearing is essential to successfully performing routine work-related tasks, such as participating in conference calls or interacting with the public. When an individual suffers from some degree of hearing loss, these responsibilities can be more challenging. If an employee must overcome additional barriers when performing these tasks, his or her job performance is likely to suffer.
The effects of losing your hearing in the workplace extend beyond communicating effectively with others. Because our auditory system includes areas the of brain, those with hearing loss may also suffer from a decline in cognitive function. Studies have shown that when even a mild hearing loss is present, there is a significant increase in cognitive load. This indicates that individuals with an untreated hearing loss have to put in an additional effort to comprehend sounds and commit them to memory. Other conditions associated with untreated hearing loss include heightened anxiety, depression and social withdrawal—all of which can negatively impact job performance.
Though loss of hearing has the capacity to impact an individual’s career, it doesn’t have to. By treating your hearing loss, you stand to improve your job performance. Studies have even shown that individuals who choose to wear hearing aids earn higher salaries than those with untreated hearing loss. To find a hearing aid that is right for you, contact a hearing health professional. If you’re looking for an audiologist in Tucson, Arizona, Hearing Specialists can help! Our team of highly specialized hearing experts provide a range of personalized audiology services and treatments. To learn more, contact us today at (520) 399-7630!