“Prevention is better than cure” is a phrase we hear often. Yet, when it comes to being truly proactive about our health and taking preventative steps, many of us could do more. Empowering ourselves with information is key to improving everyday life.
Why are some regular checks overlooked?
When we think about routine preventative healthcare, there are many checks and tests that roll off the tongue without having to think too hard. Some checks like eye tests and dental checks have become so normalised that we may even need to remind ourselves they are preventative healthcare checks; designed to be regular, routine and catch any problems as early as possible. This type of check has been widely available and accessible for a while, and has become so routine to many that its importance isn’t always recognised.
It does beg the question though: if we’re checking these critical elements routinely, why would we not think about checking our ears and hearing regularly.
The role of sound in our everyday lives
Sound and noise is everywhere, whether that be at work, on our commute, at home, or socialising with friends; it’s a part of life that can impact our mood, and provoke feelings. Whether it’s listening to our favourite music, watching a movie, chatting with friends, or hearing the sounds of children happily(!) playing together, we would all say our lives would be negatively impacted if a lot of the sounds we hear on a daily basis were no longer heard.
The recreational activities we enjoy, such as listening to music through headphones, going to concerts, even some parts of the public transport system, can often expose us to noise levels that are dangerously high. Prolonged or repeated exposure to loud recreational noise has the potential to cause permanent damage to our delicate inner ear structures, leading to noise-induced hearing loss. It’s estimated hearing loss affects 1 in 6 people in England, and yet most of us do nothing to check on the health of our ears, how well we can hear, or consider what changes could be made to hear as well as possible.
Reactive vs Proactive
There are circumstances where people do sometimes think about their hearing, but this is typically reactive: either they are experiencing problems with their ears, or if they work in a noisy place and Health and Safety regulations come into play. For the vast majority of people, being proactive about hearing is something they’ve never even thought about. And even at the stage of knowing there is a problem, many people don’t know who to turn to for help. A Specsavers study in 2024 of UK working adults found 35% experienced some form of hearing difficulties at work, and yet 64% of respondents had never had a hearing check.
It seems bizarre for a Sense that is so important, how many of us can go from a very young age and then well into adulthood without even thinking about our hearing health, let alone get it checked. And for many, checks are only made on a reactive basis, when problems start occurring. We don’t take this approach with eyes, or teeth, so why continue this way with our ears?
Hearing for a multigenerational workforce
Ear and Hearing health is something that affects everyone, of all ages, and given the multi-generational workforces we now have, hearing health is therefore a part of health and wellbeing that can no longer afford to be ignored. Although hearing problems are typically associated with elderly people, we need to continue to break down barriers and preconceptions that suggest these issues only occur at set ages and stages of life. The reality is that wear and tear of ears and hearing health can occur at any age, which is why accessible and regular ear care should be a key part of preventative healthcare checks.
With the retirement age ever-increasing, the presence of hearing related issues in older members of the workforce will continue to climb over the next decade, which will in turn bring its own problems; in an NHS England study, 41% of people with a hearing loss had retired early due to the impact of their hearing loss and struggles with communication at work, whilst 70% of people with hearing loss agreed it sometimes prevented them from fulfilling their potential at work.
There are also entire younger generations growing up with extended use of personal audio devices, with no education as to how to safely listen, or the long-term impact excessive volume can have on their hearing, which has the potential to accelerate the prevalence of hearing related issues in society, at ages well below where age-related hearing loss would typically start to appear.
The link between hearing and communication
Hearing is a key, but undervalued tool used for effective communication. It’s not just about understanding the words being used, but also accurately interpreting tone, internation and context, all of which are vital for communicating with others. When hearing is impaired, communication can also be impacted, due to repeated requests for clarification, misunderstandings, and feeling less able to participate fully in conversations.
Similarly, we need to be aware of our surroundings and what we’re doing to communicate effectively; in a noisy room or office, trying to deliver a message from long distance is rarely successful, as the recipient is unlikely to distinguish speech from the ambient noise. Equally problematic is obscuring your mouth behind a computer screen or behind your hands, as it stops others seeing vital clues that aide understanding.
This connection highlights how maintaining hearing health, as well as good communication habits, are essential for seamless social interactions, productive work environments, and overall cognitive engagement, all of which directly impact our ability to connect with the world and those around us.
The challenges of increasing headset use
The increasing and near constant use of headsets and earphones at work for calls, meetings, or ‘focussed work time’ has become the norm for many. However, this prolonged exposure to noise, even at quieter levels, can subtly impact employees’ hearing health in the long term. It’s a common misconception that only loud noise can impact hearing health. Any continuous sound that is directed towards your eardrums can contribute to auditory fatigue, and therefore can gradually impact employees’ hearing. In time, this can also cause permanent hearing damage.
There is also increasing evidence to suggest that whilst the use of noise-cancelling headsets is successful in removing distractions from external noise, prolonged use can potentially and inadvertently cause issues once they are removed. Overstimulation or heightened sensitivity once the headsets are taken off can potentially lead to fatigue and the inability to focus in even low-level noise.
As a result of the increase in headset use, there is a need for education and awareness in healthy hearing habits for employees, which is becoming critical to maintain high performing teams.
The link between hearing loss and mental health
It’s easy to think of hearing as just about ears, but when we struggle to hear, the impact can affect every part of our lives, especially our mental health and social connections. When someone has hearing loss (whether they know about it or not) it can become tiring and frustrating to constantly strain to follow conversations. This persistent effort and the fear of misunderstanding often lead to increased stress and a gradual withdrawal from social gatherings, both at work and with friends. Studies show those with hearing loss are twice as likely to experience depression as a result, highlighting how important proactive ear care can be, as identifying any potential hearing loss as early as possible allows adjustments and lifestyle changes to be made on a more timely basis and help improve mental wellbeing.
Workplace solutions
The good news is there are proactive services available for ear care, that aren’t just a tick-box exercise for compliance purposes, but instead focus on delivering detailed assessments of your employees’ ear and hearing health, providing them with information that empowers them and allows them to make more informed decisions about their health.
On-Site Ear Health Checks & Hearing Tests provide an accessible and convenient way to proactively identify potential hearing issues for your employees before they cause problems. Implementing these valuable services is increasingly flexible and can be tailored to your company’s needs. Options range from fully employer-funded programs, to employer-organised services that employees can choose to fund themselves. There’s even the possibility to use existing private medical benefit Audiology allowances, meaning the service can come at no additional direct cost to either the company or the individual employee.
Moving beyond individual assessments, Hearing Health Awareness Programs, including educational initiatives, workshops, and awareness days, play a crucial role in educating staff, removing the stigma around hearing loss, and help promote healthy hearing habits throughout the workforce.
Raising awareness and talking about hearing at work helps everyone to feel included and comfortable to request adjustments as necessary. This increased conversation also creates an environment of support and care for everyone, regardless of whether or not they individually have a hearing loss, ensuring everyone can participate fully.
The benefits for the business and employees
The impact of proactive hearing health goes further than just individual wellbeing, creating a significant benefits across the entire business. When employees struggle with hearing, even mildly, productivity and performance can suffer due to misunderstandings, the need for repeated instructions, and decreased efficiency. This can also lead to reduced engagement and morale, as communication difficulties can create feelings of isolation, frustration, and a reluctance to participate.
Businesses improve inclusivity and accessibility by promoting good hearing health. This means creating an environment where all voices are heard and everyone can contribute. It also positively influences staff retention and reduces absenteeism. By addressing potential hearing issues and lowering stress and preventing burnout, companies create a more comfortable, productive environment. Employees will thrive and are less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Why now?
Why is now the critical time to prioritise hearing health? The answer lies in understanding both the importance of hearing to employees’ quality of life, but also the long-term benefits of early intervention for both individuals and organisations. Addressing hearing concerns proactively can prevent the worsening of some issues, and earlier intervention can preserve their cognitive health and maintain their social connections for years to come.
For employers, focusing on prevention and providing proactive ear care means showing genuine care for employee wellbeing, and taking steps to create a more engaged, productive, and inclusive workforce. It’s about improving productivity, reducing absenteeism and future healthcare costs, and creating a culture of care. Acting early isn’t just a health initiative but a move towards protecting employee quality of life and improving the bottom line at the same time.
After all, we want to protect what matters to all of us.
About the author:
I’m Nicola. I’ve been an Audiologist for well over a decade now. I was diagnosed with a severe hearing loss at age 2, and have therefore always worn hearing aids. I studied Audiology at the University of Southampton, and have since worked both in NHS and private practices.
I founded Workplace Ear Care to help raise awareness of the importance of ear and hearing care. Through my experience I’ve seen how often people are so unsure what to do about any changes to their hearing, and how they will put off a hearing assessment due to not understanding the procedure or what happens. The reality of a hearing test is it’s not invasive, and the more we get used to the process the better our health monitoring becomes, meaning action can be taken as and when necessary. It’s even more convenient when all these checks can be provided on-site during the working day.
I would love for ear care to become as important as eye care and dental care. I want to remove the stigma around checking your ears and hearing, and to allow anybody who needs help with their ears or hearing to receive the assistance they need, and to feel understood and included in both their work and personal lives.
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