Sometimes, the results of a choice are clearly evident. Driving a vehicle with a flat tire can result in irregular tire degradation and potentially costly repairs, like wheel realignment or even axle replacement. Neglecting regular oil changes can result in engine failure.
However, other expenses are more nuanced, with their ramifications not always immediately obvious.
But just because they can’t be seen, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Failing to eat vegetables, for example, may not have instant consequences, but your health will eventually decline.
A perfect illustration of this is job-related hearing loss.
Actual expenses and implications may not be instantly evident, often emerging only after the fact. However, their existence is undeniable. What is the actual cost of experiencing hearing loss in the workplace? Let’s delve into it.
Is hearing loss in the workplace very prevalent?
Studies indicate that approximately one in six Americans experience some degree of hearing difficulty. Plus, another 8% have tinnitus (ringing of the ears). Four percent of them have tinnitus that’s so bad that they can’t hear.
Government agencies estimate that 24% of this is due to exposure on the job. In spite of efforts by the government to curb health hazards, 22 million workers are subjected to hazardous noise levels every year.
An additional 10 million individuals are at risk of being subjected to dangerous substances in the workplace that could exacerbate their hearing loss. These include some cleaners, heavy metals, and carbon monoxide. Many of these are simply part of a day’s work in some line of work.
What expenses are connected with hearing loss?
The costs of hearing loss are unclear for the average individual, but it’s important to understand 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 every year compared to people with normal hearing. This could be linked to the following. Research shows that with hearing loss, you’re at increased danger of:
- Harm that might cause a temporary incapacity
- Challenges with professional productivity
- Difficulty in hearing or comprehending directives
- Getting into disagreements because of something you think somebody said or didn’t say
- Advancement opportunities are passing you by
- Missing work
- Social seclusion (cost varies, but it can considerably increase overall 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 considerable financial burden
- increasing probability of workplace injuries (fluctuates)
- Higher probability of costly hospital Emergency Room admissions (exceeds $2,000)
- Comply with the safety regulations set by your employer, which might include utilizing earplugs, masks, or other protective equipment while working. Several of these suggestions follow OSHA regulations that are intended to protect your well-being.
- Initiate open and respectful conversations with your co-workers regarding concerns related to work conditions that may result in hearing loss. Avoid making threats and instead communicate honestly with your managers.
- Use a sound monitoring app on your smartphone to conduct tests, evaluating the noise levels in your surroundings when it’s safe to do so. Stick 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 instant damage.
- Have a hearing test every year to monitor any changes that may happen. If you notice your hearing getting worse, you should consider finding a job where you are less at risk.
But it doesn’t end there.
Everyday expenses
People with hearing loss often encounter difficulties with family and friends. Research shows that individuals dealing with hearing loss are more likely to have disputes within their families, with 33% of them associating most of their conflicts to their impaired hearing.
An alarming one in sixteen people with hearing loss reports that their partner has given a divorce ultimatum unless they seek assistance. Additionally, 20% of individuals with hearing loss confess to regularly deceiving their families about the severity of their condition.
This interpersonal stress frequently expands to their professional effectiveness. People with neglected hearing loss face double the likelihood of becoming socially isolated from friends and family. Their lack of relationships results in the absence of crucial support and comfort when experiencing illness, mental health problems, physical injuries, or deteriorating well-being.
Health-related costs
The financial burden of unaddressed hearing loss goes beyond the condition itself, encompassing the costs of managing related health issues that research has linked to untreated hearing loss, including:
It is important to pay attention to your hearing now.
Reducing the odds of experiencing hearing impairment
With the increasing worldwide incidence of hearing impairment, it is important to start open and productive discussions in the workplace. Check out these recommendations:
Take practical steps by consulting with a hearing specialist about your work environment and available options for protecting 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.