Hearing loss
Hearing
Dr Jack Holman wants to investigate how people with hearing loss experience the workplace, to help uncover potential interventions that can improve workplace well-being.
Hearing loss can cause substantial workplace issues such as poorer employment opportunities, earlier retirement, increased sick leave due to distress and difficulty integrating socially.
Research shows that many workplace issues are caused by perceived stigma and poor understanding from colleagues, many managers are not knowledgeable about how to deal with hearing loss, and disclosure of hearing loss is often limited. There is much to learn regarding what it is specifically about different workplaces and individuals that cause the greatest issues and where interventions should be targeted.
This project will investigate in detail what structural (e.g. industry, working environment), individual (e.g. assistive technology, disclosure of hearing loss) and relational (e.g. support) factors influence well-being in work for people with different levels of hearing loss.
The project will then build on these results by assessing any differences between working situations regarding attitudes and knowledge of hearing loss, and how this might highlight priorities for the targeting of interventions.
The results from this project will not only provide evidence that could influence decisions regarding interventions but will also motivate more research to enhance our understanding of workplace well-being and how best to improve outcomes for all working adults with hearing loss.