22 Tips for job searching, while having Hearing Loss

Getting a new job, assimilating to a new company, and standing up for yourself in the workplace can be difficult. Those things may be even more problematic if you also have hearing loss. There are obstacles from the moment you apply for jobs to going through the interview process. In order to accomplish the goals in your career, recognize your hearing loss, adapt yourself to what works best for you, and learn about what accommodations are available, or needed, in the workplace.    

7 Tips to use when Applying for a Job

1. Only apply to jobs where you meet the company’s qualifications.
2. Discrimination against those with disabilities is prohibited. Learn more about this at www.ada.gov.
3. Understand what the vital functions are for the job, and ask yourself if you will be able to carry out the work. If there is something that is unclear, ask the recruiter to clarify them.
4. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) decides case-by-case, if a service is important. They will assess whether the employee(s) taking on the job can actually accomplish the function.
5. Ask yourself if the job position only exists in order to perform a specific function. For example, if someone is hired to be a reporter, a crucial role for that job is the ability to speak, listen, and transcribe an interview into a written format.
6. What amount of knowledge or skill is needed in order to carry out the job? If the employee is hired for his or her proficiency to perform a special function, how that person carries out that assignment would be an essential job function.   
7. “Essential functions” do not include minor functions of the job position. For example, if someone were to be hired as an accountant who would also need to answer the phone, depending on the accounting firm, it would typically be considered a minor function of the job.

When Should You Disclose Your Hearing Loss?

You should decide for yourself how and when to reveal your hearing loss to a potential employer. It is not necessary for you to mention your hearing loss on your resume or cover letter. Most employers, and people, have an insufficient grasp of hearing loss, so it would be best not to permit any misleading assumptions that may thwart your chances of getting an interview.
     
No potential employer is authorized to inquire about medical conditions or demand that you have a medical exam before offering the job. An employer may not ask questions as to whether you have hearing loss or have had a hearing evaluation. An employer is allowed to ask whether you can carry out tasks for the job with, or without reasonable accommodation. You get to choose when and how to disclose your hearing loss.

6 Tips to Disclose Your Hearing Loss:

1. Some employers may use phone interviews to select potential employees. If you have difficulty hearing through the phone and need help using the Telecommunications Relay Service (for example, by using a captioned phone service), it may be a good idea to let your interviewer/employer know because there may be a delay in your response due to the technology that you are using to aid your hearing loss. You have the right to ask for remote Communication access real-time translation (CART) services when revealing your hearing loss to a potential employer.
2. Ask yourself if you will need accommodations for your in-person interview. You must disclose your hearing loss, if you decide to have a CART or sign language interpreter present during your interview or hiring process.
3. How many people will be present during the interview? You might be capable of handling one-on-one interviews without any accommodations and without disclosing your hearing loss, but there may be disadvantages to the lack of accommodations if the interview will take place in a large room with many people, unknown acoustics, and low lighting.
4. Do you use an assistive listening device (ALD)? If so, bring that with you to the interview. Briefly explain what the device is and continue with the interview. Do not dwell on the device.  This will showcase your ability to take control of a situation, while managing your hearing loss.
5. Will you need any accommodations while working on the job? If there are any accommodations necessary to take part in phone calls, meetings, or other assignments, you may want to inform the employer about your hearing loss during the interview.  This will give the employer some time to fully grasp the request and how the accommodation will fit in the workplace.
6. Ask yourself how comfortable you are with your hearing loss. If you feel comfortable about disclosing your hearing loss and any necessary accommodations to a potential employer, make that known during the interview. Displaying a can-do attitude and a positive approach to your hearing loss may work to your advantage at the interview and on the job.

3 Tips if You Choose to Reveal Your Hearing Loss

1. When you show up for the interview, be ready to make changes on the spot. You may need to ask people to switch seats, face windows, or put down the blinds.
2. You do not need to apologize for your hearing loss, and you shouldn’t dwell on it. Tell your employer that you know which workplace accommodations work best for you.
3. Highlight what your skills are for the company. Reassure them that you will be an asset to the organization.

Put Yourself in the Employer’s Shoes

• Take your employer’s viewpoint into consideration. They are meeting you for the first time and want to hire the strongest candidate for the job. Alleviate them by being very reassuring that you are an individual with the right skills and you are capable of the job.
• The interviewers might wonder if your hearing loss will interfere with your ability to carry out your job. Your objective during the interview is to convince them that you are capable of doing the job, despite the degree of your hearing loss. Discuss your abilities, past experiences, qualifications, confidence, personality.

6 ways to be at Ease During the Process

Not only are your knowledge and skill sets important, but so is your attitude. Don’t lie and feign the idea that you heard something when you did not hear a thing. This can actually make the interviewer believe that you have poor communication skills or that you can’t respond to a question in an appropriate manner. These tips will help you become confident during the application process:
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1. Create a list of your strengths.
2. Have solid examples of what you’ve accomplished, on the job, as a volunteer, and in other instances of your life.
3. Focus on why you could be a valuable employee to the organization.
4. Practice stress-relieving activities like meditation, relaxation, and exercise.
5. Think about what you are afraid of, and then contemplate how you would address those issues.
6. If you plan to disclose your hearing loss, be prepared to briefly talk about the subject.   

If you, or a loved one, are on a job hunt and have difficulty hearing, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer discount hearing aids!

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