Beginning a job search with hearing loss can be a nerve-racking experience. Whether you’re just starting the application process or shopping at Sora Boutique for the perfect interview outfit, there are steps you can take along the way to accommodate your hearing loss and ensure a smooth job search journey. Some preparations you choose to employ may include one or more of the following:
- Requesting accommodation
- Wearing hearing aids
- Preparing for your interview
Let’s examine each of these a little more closely.
Requesting Accommodation
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that potential employers provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with hearing loss that will allow them equal opportunity to participate in the application process. Some examples of accommodations may include but are not limited to:
- Providing a qualified notetaker
- Providing a sign language interpreter
- Providing captioning software
- Providing written materials ahead of time
Approximately 15% of U.S. adults report some degree of hearing loss. The prevalence of the condition means that most employers will likely have at least one accommodation available. Remember that you are in your rights to request an accommodation for your hearing loss, and it is the employer’s responsibility to provide it.
Wear Your Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are a remarkable bit of technology and a great addition to any job search. The small devices have a microphone that collects sound, an amplifier that raises its volume and a speaker which transmits the sound directly into your ear. Hearing aids can help in an interview by amplifying speech sounds and reducing ambient background noise, allowing you to focus solely on the interviewer and better understand and respond to their questions.
Practice for Your Interview
Although specific questions may vary from field to field and employer to employer, general interview questions regarding work ethic and personality tend to be similar across the board. Look up some common interview questions and practice your answers. Even if the questions you practice do not arise in the interview, practice can help you find your interview voice and give you a sense of confidence.
For more information on managing your hearing loss, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today to speak to one of our specialists.