A recent study by EPIC Hearing Healthcare surveyed 2000 workers to determine what impact hearing loss had on workplace productivity and morale.  30% of those in the survey believed they may have a hearing loss, and of those 95% thought their hearing loss had a negative impact on their job performance. For example, 61% had to ask others to repeat what they said, 57% had to strain to hear conversations, 42% claimed to frequently misunderstand what is being said, and 40% pretended they can hear the conversation when they really cannot.

Other information presented by EPIC was a study done by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) which linked untreated hearing loss to negative side effects such as irritability, anger and a negative outlook, becoming more isolated and less socially active, less alert to surroundings thus increasing the potential for dangerous situations, difficulty learning new tasks, impaired memory, and diminished health both psychological and physical.

In addition, a survey by BHI showed that hearing loss negatively impacts household income up to $12,000/year depending on the degree of hearing loss. However, the use of hearing instruments was shown to mitigate the effects of hearing loss by 50%.

What is not commonly known is that technological advances have made hearing aids work better while getting smaller.  For example, there are several brands of hearing aids available now that can fit most hearing losses and are so small that they can fit 4-5mm from the ear drum and are not seen without some kind of ear scope.  On average, people wait seven years before seeking help for their hearing loss. Please, don’t be a statistic.