How to Remain in Working Life with Hearing Loss - Health Factors for a Sustainable Work Situation

Overview

Journal Work

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Occupational Medicine

Date 2024 Jun 14

PMID 38875067

Authors

Sarah Granberg

Stephen Widen

Johanna Gustafsson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Persons with hearing loss (HL) are a vulnerable group in working life. Studies have shown that they are more likely than the general population to be in part-time work, to be unemployed, receive disability pension, and to be on sick leave. Many workers with HL also experience unhealthy work conditions, such as jobs where they experience high demands combined with low control as well as safety concerns and social isolation. There is a lack of studies that focus on factors that promote a healthy, sustainable work situation for the target group.

Objective: To investigate health factors that contribute to a sustainable work situation for employees with HL.

Methods: The current study was a comparative, observational study with a cross-sectional design including a clinical population of adults with HL. Comparisons were made between workers with HL "in work" and workers with HL on "HL-related sick leave".

Results: Seven health factors were identified. Those "in work" experienced a healthier work environment as well as lower levels of mental strain, hearing-related work characteristics and content, cognitively demanding work content, hearing-related symptoms, energy-demanding activities, and bodily aches and pain than those on "HL-related sick leave".

Conclusion: The results demonstrate a clear pattern regarding health factors for a sustainable working life. The type of job was not related to whether an individual was on sick leave or working. Rather, the work climate and the content of the work mattered.

Citing Articles

Hearing loss among teachers: a major public health challenge.

Schriemer A, Bultmann U, Schriemer S, Abma F, Roelen C BMC Public Health. 2025; 25(1):626.

PMID: 39953517 PMC: 11829521. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-21876-4.

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