Hard of Hearing?

This summary presents the results of a study of the impact of reduced hearing in relation to labour-market attachment and working life. Reduced hearing contributes to early retirement. Many people with impaired hearing are not aware of the impact of their hearing problems on their working life and social interaction in the workplace. When people develop hearing problems, the quality of their working life deteriorates in certain areas. It is the perceived deterioration of the quality of working life that causes people with impaired hearing to retire. There are clear diff erences between men and women, with regard to both the degree of hearing impairment and the consequences of the hearing problems. Hearing problems among the 50-64 years old Danes cause productivity losses of DKK 2.7 billion or approx. EUR 360 million on an annual basis.