Managing Hearing Loss in a Work Environment

A recent report from the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) showed that based on the 15% of Americans who have reported some range of hearing loss, approximately 60 percent spend most of their time in the workplace or an academic setting.

Some extra effort is necessary when it comes to hearing loss, but this factor should not interfere with how productive you are or add stress to your experience. The majority of your problems are rooted in misunderstandings, so it is important to have effective communication. Be firm when asking others to accommodate your needs, whether you need to ask someone to speak more clearly, or you need someone to look at you while they talk. These small changes can help make your workplace or classroom run with ease. 

If you experience hearing loss, let your coworkers and boss know the most efficient ways to communicate with you. There will most likely be a learning curve, so be patient.

Hearing Loss: Employment

American employers are legally required to implement a workplace with equal opportunities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This includes workers who have hearing loss. Some adjustments can include providing assistive listening devices or using other accommodations to help ease communication. 

HLAA Resources     

The HLAA compiled resources for workers who have hearing loss.  There is also a comprehensive employment toolkit that includes nearly every dilemma an employee with a hearing impairment may experience. 

Federal Resources on Workers with Hearing Loss

The U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission has a guide on deafness and hearing loss in the workplace, in addition to the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Using Hearing Aids on the Job

Hearing aids are very beneficial for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. New users should be aware that it takes time to adapt to hearing aids, particularly when you are moving from one environment to another. Talk to your hearing instrument specialist for advice. Your hearing aids can be programmed for different environments, including your daily working conditions and for listening to others through a facemask. 

Which Assistive Listening Devices Should I Use at Work?

If you work in an office, you might need more help than what your hearing aids are capable of providing. In this case, use an assistive listening device.

• A telecoil (t-coil) is a common feature in digital hearing aids. Many assistive listening devices use t-coils which makes hearing public announcements easier. FM systems utilize t-coils and can be used in several different settings.
• Directional microphones point in the direction of the person who is speaking. This allows users to hear the person they want to hear while blocking out distracting background noises. This is very useful during meetings or conferences where outside noise or multiple people talking at once can be problematic.
• Bluetooth® is very helpful for hearing aid users who spend most of their time on the phone.  Phone calls can stream directly into your ears while bypassing interference that is common with hearing aids and telephones. 
• Phones that feature captions are helpful for employees who multiple conference calls. These devices translate words into text on a screen that is connected to the phone. The ability to hear and see the person that you are speaking to provides a better chance of clearly understanding the conversation.  

How to Communicate in the Workplace 

Effective methods of communication are different for everyone. Generally, people with hearing loss communicate best in person rather than over the phone. The current social distancing rules complicate things, so someone with hearing loss will need to use a series of context clues such as lip reading, facial expressions, and body language to piece the conversation together. An email, chat window, or text, might be more helpful than a phone call or Zoom call unless there are captions available. 

If it is necessary to visit in-person, ask others to walk in front of you if you are not responding to their attempts to draw your attention. It’s much less startling to see someone walk towards you than it is to have someone tap you on the shoulder. During meetings, ask others not to speak while facing away from you - for instance, if they speak while writing something on a dry-erase board. Their voice becomes projected at the wall, making it difficult to understand no matter how good your hearing may be. 

Office Layout

An office that has an open-layout of cubicles is not the best for those with hearing loss. The bustling workers can be distracting. Having overlapping phone conversations at the same time as your coworker is challenging, even with normal hearing.  Ask to work in a private room with a door, if one is available. Noise can be closed off and you can concentrate on your work.

Helping a Coworker who Experiences Hearing Loss

Coworkers of the deaf or hard-of-hearing can help make a positive workplace environment by doing the following:

• Speak clearly, don’t shout. Try not to tangle up your sentences or slur your words. Enunciate. Yelling what you need to communicate is not helpful. It distorts the way words look when you speak, which makes it difficult for a hard-of-hearing person, who may also read lips, to understand what you are attempting to communicate. 
• Keep phone conversations short and confirm any important points at the end of the call.        
• Be attentive to extra background noise in your work environment, particularly noises that occur at their desk or office. Try not to have spontaneous discussions or talk over office barriers to create a pleasant working environment for all employees.

Noise-induced Hearing Loss in the Workplace    

Work environments are the most common places where a person is exposed to harmful levels of noise. This raises the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Your employer should provide hearing protection if the noise reaches dangerous levels.  

• Ask your employer if you qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation. This is a federal-state program that helps individuals with physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. Research whether hearing healthcare services are covered and whether you qualify. Search through your home state website or search the internet for “vocational rehabilitation” and the name of your state.
• Your insurance provider may cover part of the cost of hearing aids or assistive listening devices. Health savings accounts may be used for hearing care purchases. 
• Veterans should check with the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine whether you qualify for assistance. 

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and name brands for a wide range of hearing loss.

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