Working with Hearing Loss

To reduce this auditory fatigue, workers can use listening and communication strategies and make their work environment as calm as possible.

Fatigue naturally affects productivity. If you have hearing loss, it’s important to let your coworkers know. That way, they can be more accommodating and aware of your situation.

Phone calls can be challenging for people with hearing loss because they don’t allow for lip reading. If your job allows it, don’t hesitate to inform your clients, colleagues and business partners about the best way to communicate with you (for example, email or video call).

If you work in a noisy environment, wearing hearing protectors such as earmuffs or custom earmolds can help you reduce auditory fatigue and prevent further hearing damage.

You can also work with your colleagues and superiors to develop ways to make your work life easier. For example, you could request a suitable telephone and a single office that’s away from noise. Another great idea is to offer a workshop on listening and communication strategies to teach your coworkers.

Since an employee with hearing loss has difficulty detecting certain sounds at work, he or she may startle when a colleague comes to their office without warning. To avoid this, you can ask your colleagues to knock on your office door or make sure they have your attention before entering. An office with a small window next to the door is another option to consider.

In a factory or a hospital, the employee may have difficulty detecting sound signals that help them work. Perhaps you could talk with your supervisor to find ways to improve your work efficiency, for example by using a light or tactile alarm. In addition to helping you detect the sounds around you, this measure will help you feel safe at work.

As a person who’s had hearing loss since birth, I’ve had the opportunity to put these few tips into practice. They’ve really helped me manage my hearing loss at work. Feel free to use them too!

If you would like further advice on how to adapt your work environment to your hearing loss, consult an audioprosthetist now.