At times, the repercussions of a choice are immediately apparent. Driving a vehicle with a deflated tire can cause irregular tire wear and possibly expensive repairs, such as wheel realignment or even axle replacement. Ignoring regular oil changes can result in engine failure.
Still, some costs are subtler, with connections not immediately apparent.
However, this lack of visibility doesn’t negate their existence. For example, neglecting to eat vegetables may not trigger immediate repercussions, but inevitably your health will suffer.
Work-related hearing loss comes under this latter category.
Real expenses and implications might not be immediately apparent, frequently arising only after the fact. Nevertheless, they certainly exist. What is the true cost of hearing loss at work? Let’s delve into it.
How common is hearing loss in the workplace?
Studies suggest that approximately one in six Americans experience some level of hearing difficulty. Plus, another 8% have tinnitus (ringing of the ears). A small but significant four percent of individuals experience tinnitus so severe that it leaves them unable to hear.
Government agencies approximate that 24% of this is because of exposure on the job. Despite efforts by the government to curb health hazards, 22 million workers are subjected to hazardous noise levels each year.
Another 10 million are subjected to toxins at work that can worsen hearing loss. Certain substances like cleaning solutions, metals with high density, and a dangerous gas known as carbon monoxide are among the materials listed. For people in certain professions, exposure to these substances is simply a routine facet of their everyday tasks.
What expenses are connected with hearing impairment?
The economic and personal ramifications of hearing loss may not be instantly obvious, but grasping these repercussions is essential for making educated decisions that prioritize your overall health and quality of life.
Costs in the workplace
The Better Hearing Institute found that people with untreated hearing loss make an average of $12,000 less every year compared to people with healthy hearing. The reason for this might be explained as follows. Studies suggest that having hearing impairment raises your risk of:
- Injury which can result in short-term disability
- Challenges with professional productivity
- Difficulty in hearing or comprehending directives
- Getting involved in arguments because of something you think someone said or didn’t say
- Missing out on promotions/raises
- Missing work
- Extended loneliness can have a varying but significant effect on speeding up the degeneration of one’s overall health.
- Mental Health Issues ($200-$500/month + lost workdays)
- Dementia: The financial burden can be enormous
- Greater likelihood of unexpected falls results in a significant financial strain
- Increased work accident risk (varies)
- Higher probability of expensive hospital Emergency Room admissions (exceeds $2,000)
- Comply with the safety regulations set by your employer, which may include utilizing earplugs, masks, or other safety devices while working. Many of these guidelines are aligned with OSHA standards developed to ensure your safety.
- Initiate open and respectful conversations with your co-workers regarding concerns related to work conditions that may result in hearing loss. Replace aggressive language with open and straightforward dialogue when interacting with management.
- To assess the noise levels in your surroundings, think about using a sound meter application on your mobile device, taking care to carry out the tests only when it is safe to do so. Adhere to recommended guidelines: 85 decibels for no more than 8 hours, 90 for no more than 2 hours, 95 for no more than 50 minutes, 100 for no more than 15 minutes, and 110 and above equals immediate damage.
- Have a hearing test every year to monitor any changes that might happen. If you detect a decline in your hearing, consider pursuing a safer work environment.
However, that isn’t the end of the story.
Costs in your everyday life
Individuals experiencing neglected hearing loss are more likely to have difficulties in their personal relationships. Research shows that people experiencing hearing loss are more likely to have disagreements within their families, with 33% of them associating most of their conflicts to their impaired hearing.
A shocking number of people with hearing loss – about one in sixteen – state that their partner has threatened to end their relationship unless they take steps to attend to their hearing problems. Also, 20% of people dealing with hearing loss admit to regularly deceiving their families about the seriousness of their condition.
The tension in their personal relationships can also impact their work productivity. Those with neglected hearing loss face double the probability of becoming socially secluded from friends and family. Their lack of relationships leads to the absence of essential help and comfort when experiencing sickness, mental health issues, physical traumas, or deteriorating well-being.
Health-related costs
The financial burden of unaddressed hearing loss goes beyond the condition itself, including the costs of managing related health problems that research has linked to untreated hearing loss, including:
It’s time to get proactive about your hearing.
Decreasing your chance of hearing loss
With the increasing worldwide occurrence of hearing impairment, it is important to initiate open and productive conversations in the workplace. Here are some suggestions:
Take proactive steps by consulting with a hearing specialist about your work environment and possible options for improving your hearing at work. Delaying action for nearly a decade can have considerable financial repercussions, making it crucial to grasp the true consequences of putting things off. The stakes are too high to postpone action.
