The document discusses the impact of hearing loss on income, noting that individuals with hearing difficulties earn significantly less than their peers. It highlights the importance of addressing hearing issues to maintain productivity and effective communication in the workplace, particularly as individuals age and continue their careers. The author encourages taking care of hearing, similar to eye care, to ensure continued success in professional life.

1. Your Hearing and Your Income
By: Diane Kean
As we age, we are susceptible to losing our ability to hear and our ability to see. Do you find
yourself holding documents away from and toward your eyes in order to read the ‘fine print’?
Do you find yourself asking others to repeat themselves, struggling to hear in meetings, or
worrying you might miss something your boss says?
Do you find yourself
You may want to address your hearing as well as get asking others to repeat
those new eyeglasses or contacts. A national survey by
themselves, struggling to
the Better Hearing Institute finds that those who struggle
with hearing loss tend to earn $30,000 less than their hear in meetings, and
peers (www.betterhearing.org). It is estimated that the worrying you might miss
reduction in personal income due to hearing loss may be something your boss says?
as high as $176 billion annually in the U.S.
When you struggle to hear during meetings, the likelihood you miss or misinterpret points
made by others rises. Your productivity level may decrease as you try to ensure you understand
instructions or tasks. Relationships with your coworkers and your customers can be strained,
especially if you have not publicly acknowledged your hearing
loss and associated challenges. They may not appreciate how
Those with hearing loss they need to communicate differently with you to ensure you
tend to earn $30,000 understand what they are saying or asking of you. Their
perception of you is influenced by your ability to communicate
less than their peers.
with them, which includes your ability to understand and to
fully participate in meetings, discussions or client interactions.
As we work later in life and delay our retirement, it is important that we are able to use the
experience and wisdom we’ve gained over the years. We need to be able to fully communicate
with our peers and our leadership. Hearing is a key part of our communication skills. We need
to compete in the marketplace. To do so, we must utilize hearing aids just as we wear
eyeglasses. Personally, when I need to wear hearing aids, they will be a fashion statement just
as my multiple pairs of eyeglasses are for me now. I know the hearing aids will help me to be a
successful and valued employee, manager or business owner.
I encourage all of you to take care of your hearing as you care for your eyes and the rest of your
body. After all, your income may very well depend on it!