According to the Central Institute of the Deaf, many Americans (including employers) are unaware of the extent of hearing impairments in the U.S. The latest statistics show that:
- Nearly one in five adults (36 million) reports some degree of hearing loss.
- Only one out of five people who could benefit from a hearing aid wear one.
- Some 25 million people have experienced "ringing in the ears" (tinnitus).
How many of your employees have difficulty hearing? How might their productivity be suffering either by being unaware of the extent of their hearing loss or believing they can't afford a hearing aid? How does your workplace noise level and/or occupational needs affect such workers?
Helping your employees to review their hearing abilities will improve their lives, while enhancing their productivity and job capabilities. We'd recommend that you:
- Provide free hearing screening exams either on site or at a local retail establishment.
- Perform a safety engineering review of workplace noise levels to determine what, if anything, can be done to improve them.
- Review your job descriptions with a focus on positions in which a hearing impairment might be critical.
- Check with us to review how your current benefits package addresses possible hearing impairment needs of your employees and/or how changing benefits can help provide broader protection.
You can use a similar process to address any medical or physical issues that might be affecting your employees and workplace. Naturally, this review should consider the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.