With approximately 11 million people in the UK experiencing hearing loss – making it the second most common disability in the country according to the British Academy of Audiology – it’s no surprise that it affects many people’s work life.
Research from Specsavers, involving 2,000 working adults in the UK, found that 35 percent of those surveyed experience some form of hearing difficulties at work – yet 64 percent have never had a hearing check.
Reasons include believing it unnecessary (26%) or not severe enough (25%). However, the workplace impact is considerable, with 37 percent regularly asking colleagues to repeat themselves, 22 percent making mistakes due to hearing issues, and 15 percent struggling with job performance.
Communication with employers about hearing loss remains limited, with 72 percent not discussing it. Among those who did, concerns about discrimination (17%), job performance doubts (25%), changes in workplace treatment (19%), and exclusion from meetings (17%) were reported. As a result, 18 percent have considered leaving or changing their job due to hearing issues.
Broader Economic Consequences
The economic implications of unaddressed hearing loss are substantial, with £25 billion lost annually in productivity and unemployment. Access to NHS hearing care varies widely, leading to disparities in support. While some regions offer free high street services, others require GP referrals or self-funded care. Currently, over 120,000 individuals are on NHS waiting lists in England, with average waits of 18 weeks.
Dr Zoe Williams, GP and TV doctor, said, “Now is the time to talk about hearing and address the serious impact hearing loss has on working individuals and those who feel forced to take early retirement. Most people don’t need to let hearing loss disrupt their careers or result in them leaving their jobs. Many could benefit significantly from having a hearing check and other audiology services made more widely available on the high street.”
Specsavers is calling for uniform access to NHS audiology services across all communities, arguing that the implementation of self-referral guidance could allow patients to access care directly from high street audiologists, reducing GP appointments by 500,000 annually and ensuring timely care within four weeks.
MP Yasmin Qureshi, who suffers from hearing loss, said, “I know through my own first-hand experience that the impact of unaddressed hearing loss is profound. It impacts employment, complicates communication and social interactions, often leading to social isolation and loneliness. It is vital that we address the postcode lottery that prevents some people from easily accessing hearing care.”
