The Silent Threat to Productivity: Untreated Hearing Loss Impacts More Than One in Four U.S. Workers

POMONA, Calif., May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Confirming the growing issue of untreated hearing loss in the workforce, a new research survey by EPIC Hearing Healthcare (EPIC) finds that 30 percent of U.S. employees suspect they have hearing loss, but have not sought treatment. Of those, almost all (95 percent) say it impacts them on the job.
The survey uncovers a wide range of ways employees believe their untreated hearing loss is affecting them, from having to ask people to repeat what they said (61 percent) to misunderstanding what is being said (42 percent) to even pretending to hear when they cannot (40 percent).
"Untreated hearing loss is hurting more than employee productivity," said Brad Volkmer, president and CEO, EPIC Hearing Healthcare. "The strain from poor hearing also damages employee health and well-being by causing anxiety and stress, even contributing to depression."
Less than one-fourth of employees have had their hearing checked in the past two years, according to the EPIC survey, which polled 1,500 U.S. full-time workers, and only one out of five people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders.
"Some employees are worried that wearing hearing aids will make them look older or that they will be viewed as less capable," said Volkmer. "Another reason many don't seek treatment is that the high cost of hearing aids, not covered by most medical insurance, takes them by surprise."