Time To Read: 6 minutes
Many of our clients tell us that a drop in work performance is one of the reasons why they decided to get their hearing assessed.
We share some key tips:
And it’s no surprise, since it usually takes about eight years for people to finally make the decision to be fitted with hearing aids.
That’s a lot of lost productivity which could be affecting your career.
Another side effect of hearing loss is withdrawing from social situations because listening is difficult and exhausting. That too can have a negative affect on your social life and career, resulting in depression and, more worryingly, an increase the risk of cognitive decline.
That’s the bad news.
The great news is hearing loss doesn’t have to hold you back. Getting aids when you need them can give you and your career a new lease on life.
We have some great articles here and here with practical tips on how to get to wearing hearing aids but in this article, we’ve researched for great ideas on how to rebuild your career.
Take time for you and to reconnect with the people who matter to you the most.Take time for you
It takes time to get used to wearing hearing aids. Use some of that time to take stock of your career and set some future career goals. This is not the beginning of the end. With the right attitude, this could be start of new opportunities.
If you’re entitled to long-service leave or a holiday, take it. Return to work refreshed, reinvested, and ready to take on new challenges.
Considering smartening up your physical presentation. A new look, combined with a new positive attitude is an immediate way to let people know you are ready for business.
What does the future hold?
A new you is a good reason to start planning goals for the short, medium and long term.
Think ahead five years - how would you like your life to be? What changes do you need to make to meet your financial, social and ‘bucket list’ goals? Is it time break out on your own and start that business you’ve always dreamed of doing?
Is now the time to brush up on a few skills and take some training that you’ve avoided?
It can be difficult to begin this self-reflection but programs like Self Authoring provide an inexpensive guide through the process to map your way through the process.
Reaffirm your worth
Use this time to update your CV - even if you still plan to stay in the same job.
Take stock of your skills and experience. Are there any gaps in your knowledge? Do you have specialist expertise in a particular area? Have you considered becoming a trainer? Or offer to be a mentor?
There is plenty you can contribute in your working life, but sometimes it requires a bit of lateral thinking.
How long has it been since you’ve had a pay rise? Considering your extensive skills and experience, it is worth looking at salary comparison sites to make sure you’re being paid what you’re worth.
Hearing loss doesn't have to hold you back at work. With the right attitude it could be a great opportunity to revive your career.Back at the office
Start work like you mean it and that means making some changes to your workspace.
- Change your desk so it is located in a quieter part of the office. This might be a challenge to do in an open plan environment. Use partitioning to reduce ambient noise. If possible use soft furnishings such as curtains, carpets and cushions absorb a lot of sound, thus making an area less noisy.
- Suggest that there be a quiet room, such as a meeting room where you can hold work conversations. This is especially important if there are competing noise sources such as radios playing in the background.
- Ensure you have plenty of natural light – and none of the glare. Seeing someone’s well-lit face will help make it easier to converse with them.
- At meetings, ask that an agenda be prepared in advance. Afterwards, request that minutes are circulated afterwards to ensure you don’t miss any important information.
Additional reading:
- https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2015/02/5-creative-ways-to-revive-your-struggling-career
- https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/6-ways-to-reignite-your-passion-for-work-1117
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/5-ways-to-resurrect-your-career/
Further Reading
Value Hearing cares about you and your on-going hearing health. hearing loss doesn't need to hold you back at work. We have other articles here that will help maximising your performance at work:
