Hearing loss can make it challenging to participate fully at work. Following conversations in person, over video or phone call can feel challenging and may leave you exhausted. Approximately 15% of U.S. adults experience some trouble hearing. Know that you aren’t alone, and there are accommodations you can make to minimize the adverse effects of hearing loss at work.
Let’s examine some simple accommodations that will make your workday less stressful.
Request Written Notes
Asking for the notes or itinerary of a meeting ahead of time will help you follow along more easily. The notes will bring clarity and context to words or phrases you might have missed or misunderstood. If your workplace does not usually supply meeting itineraries, request that they begin to do so.
Inform Coworkers of Your Hearing Loss
If you feel comfortable doing so, inform your coworkers of your hearing loss. If you’re uncomfortable telling multiple people, consider informing your human resources representative or manager of your hearing loss so that they can make company site-wide accommodations. This will prevent you from disclosing your hearing loss to more people than you’re comfortable with.
Try Speech-To-Text Software
Most video-call technology comes with captioning services. Try turning this on during meetings. Though captions are not perfect, they will help add context to the meeting and help clarify misunderstandings.
Find a Good Place To Sit
If you’re attending in-person meetings, arrive five minutes early to get a seat closest to the speaker or most central to the conversation. This will help you better understand your coworkers without putting in extra work to hear them. If you cannot arrive early, consider asking a coworker to switch spots with you so you can hear better.
Wear Hearing Aids
Hearing aids help amplify speech sounds and minimize irrelevant background noise. They will help you better understand people in work meetings and even make after-work hangs at Ford’s Garage Ft. Myers a little more fun.
For more tips on managing or treating hearing loss, contact Gulf Coast Audiology today to make an appointment with one of our trusted audiologists.