Many people don’t realize that over 15% of people in America suffer from hearing loss. While many believe this is an affliction that primarily only affects the elderly or people in the music industry, it spans multiple age ranges and professions.
About 60% of Americans that have hearing loss are currently working. Often, these people find that hearing loss has affected their ability to comminate in the office and their job performance.
While hearing loss may be difficult to overcome at first, with the proper steps and processes, you can eliminate any roadblocks that might lie in the way of you doing your job. Most problems stemming from hearing loss in a professional setting stem from a lack of understanding of the subject. It is crucial to get informed about hearing loss to be an asset to your company and coworkers.
Keys to Overcoming Hearing Loss in the Workplace
The primary key to overcoming hearing loss in the workplace is open communication. If you have recently discovered you’re hearing-impaired, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Something as simple as a 30-minute hearing evaluation could be the difference between your hearing getting worse and finding a solution.
Also, if you believe you may have hearing loss, it could be beneficial to inform your coworkers of your condition so that they can accommodate you. Maybe also throw in a few tips on how they should communicate with you in the future. Once you inform people of your condition, you can successfully work around it.
While you are at work, don’t be afraid to ask someone to speak louder or more clearly, or to look at you while talking so you can read their lips or hear them more clearly.
Fortunately, employers in the US are legally required to provide an equal opportunity to those with hearing loss under the Americans with Disabilities Act. And while hearing loss in the workplace can make your job more complicated, easy solutions can help you overcome this obstacle.
Solutions for Those with Hearing Loss
The leading solution for those with hearing loss is hearing aids. Hearing Aids work very well for those suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss and improve both a patient’s hearing and overall quality of life.
If you have never used hearing aids before, keep in mind that it may take some time to adjust to the particular settings of your hearing aid, as every case of hearing loss is different.
After wearing your hearing aids at work for a couple of months, consult your audiologist if you still have difficulties adjusting. A good resource for recommending assistive listening devices, they can program the settings to fit your typical working conditions.
Best Practices for Workplace Communication
Make sure your coworkers know how to talk to you. Ask them to come to your office or workspace rather than call because it’s usually easier to communicate in person than over the phone. Using clues like facial expressions and lip reading can also help you communicate more efficiently.
If your attention is not being captured by their attempts to get your attention, ask them to walk in your line of sight. Ask them to tap you lightly on the shoulder too.
If they’re writing on a dry-erase board during meetings, ask them to speak when they’re facing you. The voice of a person talking to you with their back turned against the wall is difficult for you to hear even when you’re seated close.
In open-plan offices, there are often a lot of distractions that can distract those with hearing loss, so open cubicles aren’t ideal. With normal hearing, it is hard enough to have a phone conversation with your coworker in the cubicle next to you at the same time. If you are placed in an office with a door, you will be able to ignore outside distractions and focus on your work.
If you have trouble in a professional environment and believe you may be suffering from hearing loss, it is vital to take action immediately. Putting this off could have a detrimental effect on your hearing health and overall well-being.
If you live in the Las Vegas Area, consider using Hearing Associates of Las Vegas. A one-stop-shop for all of your hearing needs, we are a locally based company that can help you on your path towards healthy hearing. Visit our offices or our website today to learn more.
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