How to thrive at work with hearing loss

Whether they are employed or actively seeking employment, working adults with hearing loss have additional challenges to be met. As anyone who has ever been between jobs will attest, looking for a job can often be just as demanding as working one. Even in the best of circumstances, interviews are stressful, as is learning the ropes at a new workplace. Fortunately, it is entirely possible to find a fulfilling job with a hearing loss.

The key is knowing your rights and making sure you receive the accommodations that will help you thrive in your chosen career. Here is some advice on how to handle your hearing loss while interviewing or while in your current role.

Tips when looking for employment with hearing loss

Interviewing for a job is nerve-wracking enough, and being hard of hearing can add additional stressors to the process. Some things to keep in mind:

You don't have to disclose your hearing loss. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ensures your right to withhold information about medical procedures, use of hearing aids, or related health conditions in applying for a job.

You can request accommodations during the interview if you wish. If you require a sign language interpreter or other accommodation to participate in the interview successfully, you should ask for assistance. But be aware that your interviewer is then allowed to ask if you will need further assistance in your daily tasks on the job.

You will be asked how you can perform the critical roles in the job. Though they may not ask questions specific to your hearing loss, a prospective employer may ask about your ability to perform the job's essential functions. Questions such as these may arise:

• Can you react quickly in loud, noisy situations?
• Are you able to communicate clearly and effectively?
• Can you meet the legal safety requirements for this job?

When answering these questions, be direct and honest, and keep in mind that "Yes, with reasonable accommodation" is a perfectly suitable response. Employers must ensure you can participate fully in the interview process under the ADA act.  

Your employer still has to hire you if you disclose your hearing loss after being offered the job. Unless your hearing loss poses a direct threat to the safety of yourself or others in the workplace, and the risk cannot be reduced with accommodations, your potential employer cannot disqualify you from the job based on your hearing loss.

Tips when working with hearing loss

Here are a few valuable tips for those who are already employed:

It's best to reveal your hearing loss to your superiors. The sooner, the better, especially if you are having difficulties on the job related to your hearing. Your employer will appreciate you speaking up before your job performance is negatively affected.

Practice' multi-purpose disclosure' with your coworkers. Multi-purpose disclosure reveals your hearing loss and gives people a suggestion for accommodation. Multi-purpose disclosers might say: "I don't hear as well out of my left ear. Please walk on my right side." This suggestion gives people information about your experience and recommendations on what they can do to better communicate with you.

Researchers believe that multi-purpose disclosure is the best method for disclosing your experience with hearing loss. It's not enough to reveal your hearing loss - you need to make suggestions about improving communication with yourself.  

The ADA requires employers to provide 'reasonable accommodations to those with hearing loss at work. Employers must provide accommodations to carry out job tasks to the same standards as hearing coworkers in the same positions and benefit from the same work opportunities as other employees.

The management of your company should ensure you can: understand day-to-day workplace communications, be an active participant in meetings, social engagements, and company events, and make progress in your field. But keep in mind that your employers can refuse an accommodation request if they can prove that it would be an unreasonable burden in terms of cost or difficulty.

Knowing your rights as a hard-of-hearing employee is imperative to succeeding in the workplace, but you can also significantly improve your chances by wearing a hearing aid. Employers will appreciate that you are actively improving your communication skills, and your hearing devices will also help reduce misunderstandings and stress while keeping you safe on the job.  

Most importantly, don't be afraid to speak up for yourself and let your employers and coworkers know what accommodations and communication strategies work best for you.

You don't have to live – or work – with untreated hearing loss! Contact us at Greentree Hearing & Audiology today for a consultation.