How hearing loss impacts workplace well-being

“Workplace well-being relates to all aspects of working life, from the quality and safety of the physical environment, to how workers feel about their work, their working environment, the climate at work and work organization.”

– International Labour Organization, 2020¹

Impact of modern working life on workplace well-being

Modern working life has become increasingly complex, with evolving working conditions for both employees and leadership. New tasks and requirements are frequently introduced, where everyone is expected to prioritize, complete their work, adapt to changing conditions, and simultaneously maintain their individual recovery and well-being.

Given that these demands require substantial individual flexibility and interpersonal skills, workers are under significant pressure to meet these expectations.² For individuals with hearing loss, this challenge can be even greater due to the need for a hearing-adapted work environment, which may conflict with the expectation of flexibility.

Future trends in working life, such as digitalization and the rise of gig work (e.g., project-based or non-permanent employment), will further increase the need for flexibility and communication skills—not to mention the cognitive demands posed by digital meetings.²

Traditionally, however, focus has primarily been on the physical, organizational, and psychosocial aspects of the work environment, while dimensions like the cognitive work environment have received less attention.

Do we know how hearing loss impacts workplace well-being?

Simply put, no. A scoping review of workplace well-being in relation to hearing loss³ revealed that this area has been insufficiently researched over the past 20 years.

Using the International Labour Organization’s¹ definition of workplace well-being as a conceptual framework, researchers explored the intersection of hearing loss and working life. Three main themes emerged:

1. Individual aspects (e.g., perceived problems in working life, strategies for managing work, and health).
2. Work environment (e.g., physical, organizational, and social aspects).
3. Work organization (e.g., division of labor and employment status).

However, the review concluded that many studies on hearing loss and working life lacked an intersectional perspective.

Why is this ‘lacking perspective’ a problem?

This gap is problematic because working life is inherently shaped by factors such as gender, age, and education level. To address the complexities of modern working life, it is crucial to incorporate intersectional considerations into research on hearing loss and employment.

The review highlighted that many papers approached the topic solely from a hearing loss perspective, failing to incorporate theories and research addressing the broader complexities of working life. This omission is significant because individuals with hearing loss are part of a larger system, and this context must be considered when addressing the challenges they face in the workplace.

Are we doing enough and what can we do better?

It seems not. The limited focus on hearing loss in vocational rehabilitation (VR) services is a striking example. Despite the complex demands of working life—particularly for individuals with hearing loss, such as communication and cognitive challenges—adults with hearing loss are often excluded from VR services.

What can we do better?

The creation of tailored VR services for adults with hearing loss who rely on oral communication as their primary mode of communication must be prioritized. This is a critical area for further investigation and development.

To learn more about this topic, I encourage you to read our full paper in the International Journal of Audiology.

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References

1. International Labour Organization (2020). Workplace well-being. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/safework/areasofwork/workplace-health-promotion-and-well-being/WCMS_118396/lang–en/index.htm, accessed November 8, 2021.
2. Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise (2020). Framtidens arbetsmiljö – trender, digitalisering och anställningsformer [The future work environment – trends, digitalization, and forms of employment]. Kunskapssammanställning 2020:3 [Review of Knowledge 2020:3]. Stockholm: Myndigheten för arbetsmiljökunskap.
3. Granberg, S., & Gustafsson, J. (2021). Key findings about hearing loss in the working life: A scoping review from a well-being perspective. International Journal of Audiology. DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2021.1881628