In workplaces where loud noise is normal and expected – like in manufacturing or construction – there are three main ways that loud noise can affect the bottom line:

  1. Accidents. Loud noise can lead to less communication, and accidents are a natural result of instructions not being understood, or messages not being delivered.
  2. Lower productivity. When workers can’t communicate with each other due to high noise (and associated hearing loss), the result is lower productivity. And lower productivity means less profit.
  3. Worker’s Compensation. Every state enforces hearing loss payouts as part of the Worker’s Compensation Act and other employee liability and compensation programs. These claims are costly and increase insurance premiums for the company.

All of these situations lead to a less productive work environment, where workers either can’t do their jobs effectively or aren’t there to do their jobs because of a hearing issue. The associated on-the-job frustrations can also lead to a decrease in employee morale – which can, in turn, affect a company’s bottom line even more.

Keep Employees Happy With Healthy Hearing

Loud workplaces don’t have to fall victim to these effects on the bottom line. There are many things employers can do to ensure that their employees are healthy, the workplace is safe, and the bottom line isn’t affected. And it starts with healthy hearing for everyone at the workplace.

An Audiologist Can Help Your Bottom Line

Companies can work with an experienced audiologist to ensure that all employees have the appropriate hearing protection, and that it is being used correctly to eliminate the risk of hearing loss amongst employees. Lower rates of hearing loss will ensure that communication at the workplace is maintained, and also decrease worker’s compensation claims, which will help keep insurance premiums low over the long term.

Hearing Tests Help Companies And Employees

Covering the cost of hearing tests for employees is another way to ensure that the bottom line is protected. Just as eye exams help keep people seeing clearly, regular hearing tests are critical to maintaining sound hearing health for employees. The long-term payoff of annual hearing tests with an experienced audiologist is that any problems with employee hearing are caught and treated early, and employee engagement and loyalty goes up when they know that their employer is taking steps to ensure the health of its workers.

Message to Employers

Help keep your bottom line up and your employees happy by ensuring that workers have access to annual hearing tests, proper hearing protection and resources to keep their hearing sharp in the workplace.

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Dr. Ana Anzola, CCC-A, FAAA, ABA Principal

Dr. Anzola received her Doctorate degree in Audiology (AuD) from the Arizona School of Health Sciences, and her Master’s Degree in Audiology and her Bachelor's Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Towson University. She has been a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) since 1995, board-certified by the American Board of Audiology (ABA), and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
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