Report- Hearing needs of older workers neglected

Safety & Health Practitioner

This is according to a report from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), which points out that, with some 1.3 million people choosing to work beyond state-pension age, and the fact that hearing loss affects 55 per cent of people over 60, this is a major issue.For the report, entitled Hidden Crisis: why millions keep quiet about hearing loss, the RNID conducted qualitative interviews with hearing-aid users throughout the UK. Participants had mixed experiences of employers’ willingness to make the adjustments necessary to allow them to continue successfully at work. Some people had even given up their job because they felt they weren’t managing anymore. Others expressed concern that telling their employers about their hearing loss might affect their job security.Some participants were also unwilling to tell their colleagues about their hearing loss because they believed they may be seen as less capable, and the expectations others would have of their performance and professionalism would change.RNID’s executive director of advocacy and policy, Brian Lamb, said: “There is a lot of discussion around extended working lives and the implications for pensions and families. What hasn’t been explored is whether employers have considered the adjustments they should make to accommodate a diverse and older workforce to ensure they can still work effectively.
 
“Our research suggests that employers are yet to address the impact hearing loss can have on a person’s work. We want to see all organisations wake up to the needs of their older employees and promote hearing health to their workforce.”Anyone worried about their hearing can do a free online check at www.rnid.org.uk/hearingmatters

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