Sometimes, the repercussions of a decision are immediately obvious. Driving a vehicle with a flat tire can cause irregular tire degradation and potentially expensive repairs, such as wheel realignment or even axle replacement. Failing to provide a regular oil change schedule can result in costly engine damage.
However, other expenses are more nuanced, with their ramifications not always readily apparent.
However, this lack of visibility doesn’t negate their existence. Failing to eat vegetables, for example, might not have immediate complications, but your health will eventually decline.
Work-related hearing loss falls into this latter category.
The actual costs and relationships may be unclear, usually becoming obvious only in hindsight. However, their existence is undeniable. What is the real cost of experiencing hearing impairment in the workplace? Let’s take a closer look.
How common is hearing loss in the workplace?
According to studies, about 15.5% of people in the US have difficulty hearing. Additionally, another 8% of individuals experience tinnitus, which is a ringing sensation in the ears. A small but significant four percent of people experience tinnitus so severe that it leaves them unable to hear.
Government agencies estimate that 24% of this is due to exposure on the job. Even though governments have executed steps to minimize occupational health risks, a staggering 22 million workers are still exposed to hazardous noise levels annually.
Another 10 million are subjected to toxins at work that can exacerbate hearing loss. Certain substances like cleaning products, metals with high density, and a poisonous gas called carbon monoxide are among the items listed. For individuals in specific occupations, exposure to such substances is just a normal facet of their everyday tasks.
What are the costs of hearing loss?
The costs of hearing loss are unclear for the ordinary individual, but it’s important to comprehend them so you can make the best decision for your health and well-being.
Costs in the workplace
The Better Hearing Institute found that individuals with neglected hearing loss make an average of $12,000 less annually in comparison to those who have healthy hearing. This could be linked to the following. Research shows that with hearing loss, you’re at increased risk of:
- Injury which can result in temporary disability
- Challenges with professional productivity
- Difficulty hearing/understanding directives
- Getting into arguments because of something you think someone said or didn’t say
- Advancement opportunities are passing you by
- Missing work
- Social isolation (cost varies, but it can substantially increase general health decline rate)
- Mental Health Issues ($200-$500/month + missed workdays)
- Dementia (costs more than you want to think about)
- Greater likelihood of accidental falls results in a significant financial strain
- increasing probability of workplace injuries (fluctuates)
- Higher likelihood of expensive hospital Emergency Room admissions (exceeds $2,000)
- Adhere to all safety standards mandated by your employer, including using earplugs, masks, or other protective devices on the job. Numerous of these suggestions follow OSHA guidelines that are intended to protect your well-being.
- Start open and courteous dialogues with your co-workers about work conditions that might result in hearing issues. Avoid threats and instead communicate honestly with your supervisors.
- To evaluate the noise levels in your surroundings, consider using a sound meter application on your mobile device, taking care to carry out the tests only when it is safe to do so. Follow the recommended suggestions of 85 dB for a maximum of 8 hours, 90 decibels for no more than 2 hours, 95 decibels for no more than 50 minutes, 100 decibels for a maximum of 15 minutes, and sound levels of 110 and higher can cause immediate harm.
- Get a hearing test once a year to track changes over time. If you notice your hearing waning, you should consider finding a job where you are less at risk.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Costs in your day-to-day life
People with hearing loss frequently face difficulties with family and friends. Research reveals 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 surprising one in sixteen people with hearing loss reports that their spouse has given a divorce ultimatum unless they seek assistance. Additionally, 20% of people dealing with hearing loss admit to regularly deceiving their families about the severity of their condition.
The strain in their personal relationships can also affect their work efficiency. Individuals who do not manage their hearing loss are twice as likely to experience social withdrawal from their loved ones.
Health-related costs
The financial burden of unaddressed hearing loss goes beyond the condition itself, including the costs of managing related health issues that research has linked to untreated hearing loss, including:
It’s time to get proactive about your hearing.
Minimizing the chances of experiencing hearing impairment
As the global pervasiveness of hearing loss continues to rise, it becomes essential to engage in meaningful workplace dialogues. Check out these recommendations:
Consider seeking expert help from an audiologist to evaluate your workplace and explore possible solutions to enhance your hearing on the job. Delaying action for nearly a decade can have significant financial consequences, making it essential to grasp the true repercussions of putting things off. The dangers are too great to postpone taking action.