Six Tips To Hear Better At Work
Hearing loss affects millions of Americans to some degree. There is a common misconception that only older, retired people have hearing loss, but that is not true. In addition, employment of workers age 65 or older has grown by 117% in 20 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many individuals in the workforce have hearing loss and there are ways you can address it and find the accommodations you need. Here are six tips on how you can hear better while at work.
Wear Hearing Aids: Hearing aids will help you engage in the conversation. Hearing aids are designed to provide your brain with the sounds it needs to process information, even in noisy environments. If you have noticed that you are having a difficult time at work hearing in meetings or conference calls, then make an appointment to try hearing aids.
Use Hearing Aid Accessories: Hearing aid accessories are designed to help you hear better even in the most complex listening environments. If you work in an office, then background noise can make it hard for you to focus on the conversation with the person in front of you. Or if you have to be present for large meetings, you may have to concentrate harder to understand. Hearing aid accessories are designed to give you an extra boost, so you can feel confident that you heard everything that matters.
Ask For Accommodations: It is the law that employers must provide you with the necessary accommodations for your hearing loss. Some examples of accommodations include captioning, interpreters, visual media, a new seating or office arrangement, adapted technology, visual alerts and more.
Ask For Clarity: Don't be afraid to ask someone to repeat themselves or to reword what they are saying to you. Even people without hearing loss have a hard time understanding if there is a lot of background noise present. Speak up for yourself and ask that the information be repeated.
Move The Location: If possible, ask a colleague to move the conversation to a quieter location, such as an unused conference room. Removing yourself from background noise will ensure you can properly hear what is being said and you won't miss any important information.
Try Bluetooth Hearing Aids: Bluetooth hearing aids are a great solution for individuals with hearing loss who have an active life or who are in complex listening environments. Bluetooth hearing aids will allow you to connect to other wireless devices, such as your smartphone, so you can hear phone conversations easier than before.
Start Hearing Better Today
Start hearing better by contacting Love To Hear Again Audiology today. It's important to have your hearing checked on a regular basis, even if you don't have hearing loss to ensure any signs are caught early. If you already wear hearing aids, we can discuss options for upgrading if it has been a while since you've bought your current devices. An upgraded hearing solution will help you to hear even better at work and ensure you are communicating at your best.