The competition to get ahead in the workplace remains highly competitive in this country. Job security is tenuous, at best, and if you have hearing loss you may have to overcome additional hurdles. Whether or not you can clear those obstacles depends largely on how you handle your hearing challenges.
Denial is Common, But Not a Solution
Many employees think the best way to keep hearing loss from interfering with their professional lives is to hide it. While this might work for a time if you only have mild hearing loss, ultimately it can backfire. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) restricts what an employer can ask you about a medical condition like hearing loss they do have the right to ask certain questions, or even require you to have a medical examination, if on-the-job performance declines and your boss reasonably believes your hearing loss may be a contributing factor. You may be exhibiting symptoms you don’t even realize are problematic, such as misunderstanding directions or frequently asking others to repeat themselves in meetings.
Although the ADA protects employees from discriminating against those with hearing loss, some find ways around it, such as passing you over for promotions without giving justifications related to your condition (“Tom was just a better fit for the position”) or ensuring you are included in a general layoff (“Sorry, but we’re downsizing”). Having untreated hearing loss has been linked to a 25 percent reduction in earning potential compared to people with normal hearing. Don’t give employers reasons to block your career advancement or longevity with a company by denying the impact of your untreated hearing loss on your job performance.
Three People Who Confronted Hearing Loss and Prospered
Psychologist Penelope Denton counseled patients with hearing loss to confront their condition directly. “I have couples come in complaining that their spouse refuses to wear hearing aids and that they have to repeat everything. So I say, “Stop repeating things. You’re enabling your spouse to go on asking you, what did you say?'” But then Penelope found herself having to practice what she preached when she realized she was having problems hearing.
Penelope realized that any therapist who couldn’t hear parts of what patients said (especially if they were soft-spoken), couldn’t practice successfully. That’s when she had her hearing evaluated, which confirmed her suspicions. When the results indicated she had significant hearing loss, Penelope purchased her first pair of hearing aids. She now credits her hearing aids for allowing her to return to practicing effectively.
Bank customer service representative Susan Kladitis recognized that in order to serve her clients better she needed to be able to hear them clearly without asking them to repeat themselves. Susan was also challenged by the position of her desk in the bank, which required her to hear clients over the din of the busy bank. This was particularly hard when discussions turned to private financial matters. “In my industry, people tend to speak very softly about their financial information.” Reading lips was not enough finding the right hearing aids was her best solution.
Police sergeant Spencer Cannon also ran into difficulty not being able to hear as well as he used to. “When I had prisoners in the back seat (of the squad car), I’d tell them they’d practically have to yell in order for me to be able to hear them.” It was an impractical situation at best and potentially dangerous, given his line of work. He found himself pulling motorists over, and then having to ask them to speak up or repeat themselves constantly. He couldn’t always hear what was being said to him over the police radio, either. Although initially in denial about the extent of his hearing loss, eventually Spencer yielded and got his first pair of hearing aids. It wasn’t long before he realized the positive difference they made in his daily life, especially at work.
Being Proactive About Your Hearing Can Prevent Career Setbacks
Remember, it isn’t hearing loss alone that makes others think you can’t do your job well. It’s the complications that arise from not treating the condition that can make you look bad. So, don’t deny your hearing difficulties accept them and take ownership by having your hearing loss diagnosed, and if necessary treated with hearing aids.
