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subject: Self Doubt Early Stumbling Block For The Hearing Impaired [print this page]


More and more working Americans are losing their hearing because of exposure to noise. Hearing loss is a common problem for millions of Americans. In about 25 years, around 28% of Americans old enough to work will have suffered some kind of hearing loss, states the National Institute on Aging.

Cases of hearing loss in the workplace continue to increase because of different reasons. The career counseling and job placement services director of the New York League for the hard of hearing believes that the surroundings are noisy. People retire and live at an older age. The workplace has noise wherever you turn to.

There are always people and conversations, as well as air conditioners and other machines at work. The noise limit is not in any way violated, but these do go past communication level. 85 decibels is the maximum level of loudness permitted in a workplace. The League and similar organizations around the country work with hearing impaired employees and their employers to help them cope with this increasingly common disability.

Even though people who have hearing impairments are limited to perform tasks, certain needs of their can be met by the employers. Amplified phones and desks at noise free locations are things to consider. Giving the job of answering phone to someone else is also something to consider. But these sometimes have to be pointed out to the employer. Do not think that just because your supervisors don't provide to meet your needs, they do not care about you.

The employee is instructed to describe any arrangements in the office necessary. In cases where the employee might special equipment, the employee could look for model numbers and prices and then let the supervisor know so he can approve and take action. If there is excessive noise in the work area, the employee should say so and ask to be moved away from it.

Each step in job searching might be affected by the hearing impairment of the person. She says that she often sees those who don't believe in themselves. Being excluded from different occupations and uncertainty for what to go for would be among the worries of the beginner. Using the phone for interview appointments may be a challenge as well. During the job search, the applicant must also know when to mention the impairment.

A person who is employed is faced with the fear of losing his job or not getting promoted. Choosing to hide the impairment, he may choose not to talk to other employees. People could get the wrong idea about him, however.

The ideal approach to doing your job search and also working on the job is to be open. She advises against mentioning the impairment on the resume, but recommends that it be told during the interview.

While nothing about it can be asked by the employer, the candidate can reveal to the employer what it is and what accommodations it would require. Organizations such as the League of self help for the hard of hearing can work with employees in providing education for managers who don't know the impact of impairment. Employees get the benefit of workshops from the League while employers get educated on how to handle their impaired employees.

by: kellypers




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