Ear Health and Wellbeing
At Workplace Ear Care we are passionate about your hearing health. We strive to help you look after your employees as we believe employee wellbeing is at the heart of a happy company. Ear care and ear health wellbeing is not often thought about when we think how we can look after our employees. Ear health is an innovative workplace wellbeing initiative and we are so excited to be sharing this with you all. We often wonder why has it taken so long for our ears and hearing to become a priority?
According to the Royal National Institute of the Deaf (RNID) a survey in 2022 revealed 98% of individuals in the UK consider their hearing is important but only 6% had a hearing check. Other health checks though, were taken regularly with 53% who had a dental check and 43% who had an eye test.
What are the benefits of employee hearing tests?
Prioritising ear health offers a wealth of benefits for both your employees as well as your business, creating a truly sound investment in your workforce.
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For Your Employees:
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Early detection of hearing problems: Hearing loss can develop gradually and therefore often goes unnoticed, and isn’t always related to any workplace noise. Early detection enables timely medical intervention to reduce the risk of permanent damage or further deterioration.
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Pre-existing Conditions: Employees may already have hearing issues due to genetics, age, or past noise exposure, which employee hearing tests can identify.
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Improved Communication: Healthy hearing is fundamental to clear communication. By addressing hearing concerns, employees can participate in meetings which can foster stronger team dynamics. Employees can better understand verbal instructions and conversation which will reduce misunderstandings.
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Reduced Stress: Hearing difficulties can lead to frustration, social isolation, and increased stress levels. Proactive ear care contributes to overall wellbeing, reducing anxiety and improving quality of life.
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Greater Focus and Productivity: When employees can hear clearly, they're more focused, engaged, and productive. Addressing hearing issues can unlock their full potential and contribute to a more dynamic work environment.
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Improved Morale: Employees who feel valued and cared for, will be happier and more satisfied with their jobs. Investing in their ear health shows a genuine commitment to their wellbeing, boosting morale and retention.
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Feeling Empowered: By providing access to ear health services, you encourage employees to take control of their health, promoting a culture of prevention and proactive self-care. This in turn reduces the stigma around hearing tests by normalising the process and supporting those employees who otherwise may avoid addressing any change to their hearing.
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For Your Business:
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Reduced Absenteeism: Addressing hearing issues can reduce sick leave related to stress, fatigue, and communication difficulties. It also improves employee engagement, leading to increased productivity.
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Improved Productivity: A workforce with healthy hearing is a more efficient workforce. Clear communication minimises errors and maximises outputs.
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Enhanced Employer Reputation: Improving wellbeing offerings can enhance your company’s reputation as a responsible, forward-thinking employer. It shows a commitment to employee welfare, and companies that invest in their employees’ health are more likely to attract and retain top talent.
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Inclusive workplace: Workplaces are often made up of a range of employee ages. It is often recognised that hearing changes with age and offering hearing assessments to all employees encourages a more inclusive workforce. Talking about healthy hearing habits is not just for one age group, its applicable to everyone. Regular hearing tests allow for appropriate changes to be made around the workplace to ensure a welcome and inclusive work environment.
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Preventative Health Care: Employers have a duty to prioritise overall employee wellbeing, not just addressing the obvious risks.
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There are a large number of positive reasons to carry out employee hearing tests. Prioritising ear health isn’t about compliance; it's about creating a supportive and thriving work environment where employees feel valued and empowered. By making ear health a priority, you're investing in a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce, ultimately contributing to the success of your business.
Encouraging ear health and wellbeing in the workplace
We are all using headphones and ear pods far more regularly both at work and personally, we are working longer due to the never-ending changes to retirement age and quite frankly life is a lot more stressful these days. These all contribute to the health of our ears and many of us don’t act until there is a known problem – even then – who waits that little bit longer?
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Workplace Ear Care are here to encourage employers to look after their staff and have their hearing monitored with regular hearing checks. You will be part of the motion for proactiveness rather than reactiveness.
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We can fill our employees with confidence in knowing what a hearing test is and how a hearing test is carried out. We can allow employees to understand what their hearing is up to whether that be their hearing is within a range considered ‘normal’ or are there any gradual changes to their hearing. Not all changes to our hearing means we have to intervene. However, it does help us to understand in a working environment do we need to request quieter working spaces for meetings, adopt the mentality to walk up to colleagues rather than shouting across a room or does it help us to understand why we might be exhausted after a day of work because there are small changes to our hearing.
We’ve seen so many patients over the years of working as an Audiologist within the NHS and in the private sector who have put off having their hearing checked because they didn’t know what to expect in an appointment or worried that they would have to have hearing aids straight away.
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We want to help reassure everyone by giving them a personalised experience earlier in life before many problems with their hearing exist to help give them the confidence to act upon any changes to their hearing sooner rather than later. We would love for employees to see hearing tests as a standard test carried out much like them going for other regular check ups.
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