At work, you want to give your best in every aspect of your job. Being productive and responsive improves your performance and helps you advance, but all of this becomes much harder when you hear poorly. In some professional environments, it can even become dangerous. Learning to hear better during your working hours can radically transform the quality of your professional life.
1. Hear better with hearing aids
The first way to hear better at work is to equip yourself with a hearing aid. Hearing loss is a widespread problem globally, caused by factors such as age, trauma, illness, or prolonged exposure to loud noises. According to the National Institutes of Health, about one-third of people aged 65 to 74 have difficulty hearing.
Young and middle-aged adults are not spared: some notice their first hearing problems as early as their thirties. For many, this is the core of their professional life, and untreated hearing loss then becomes a real hindrance to productivity and communication at work.
Hearing aids restore clarity and improve quality of life, and they have never been more accessible than today. Previously, you had to consult an audiologist and get a prescription for custom, expensive devices. Consulting an audiologist is still a wise choice, but many people now benefit from over-the-counter devices like the CLARIA Atom Pro, which can be ordered online without any hassle.
That said, if you want to know your baseline hearing level, it's always useful to have a comprehensive hearing test. And if you have any doubt about your hearing, if you feel it's deteriorating, or if you experience associated symptoms like tinnitus or dizziness, consult a healthcare professional. Early intervention changes everything.
If you're not ready to consult, or can't, you can still take a first step. At-home hearing tests and OTC hearing aids are accessible solutions that make getting started easier. Every hearing journey is unique, and there's no harm in starting where you are.
2. Hear better by reducing noise in your workplace
If you're experiencing hearing difficulties, talk to your manager about possible accommodations regarding your position and your working methods. See if you can be placed in a quieter environment. For example, if you usually work near noisy machines that prevent you from communicating with colleagues, your manager may be able to move you to a quieter workstation.
With less loud noise and auditory distractions, you will generally understand conversations much better, both in person and on the phone. This offers another advantage: you protect your ears. If you are already suffering from hearing loss, staying in a noisy environment will only make things worse.
You can also deliberately choose when and where you converse at work to hear better. When a colleague needs to talk to you, move the conversation to a quiet place: an office, an empty break room, or an unoccupied meeting room. You'll have less background noise to filter out and can focus on the exchange.
3. Hear better with headphones
If you spend a large part of your day in virtual meetings or listening to audio content, headphones can help you concentrate and hear more clearly, especially in a noisy environment. For people with hearing loss, combining headphones with hearing aids can be useful, but it all depends on the type of hearing aid, the headphone model, and your personal needs.
If you use a discreet in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid like the CLARIA Atom or Atom Pro, you can often comfortably wear over-ear headphones. These should be soft, well-padded, and wide enough to encompass the ear without pressing directly on the hearing aid. This combination can improve speech clarity, especially during video calls or for recorded content.
That said, not everyone needs or wants to use both at the same time. Some people prefer to temporarily remove their hearing aids and use only headphones, especially if they find it more comfortable or if the sound is clear enough without amplification. The best choice depends on your specific needs, your hearing goals, and the environments you frequent most often.
If you use headphones, with or without hearing aids, just make sure to listen at a safe volume. There's no universal rule, but here's a general principle: keep the volume at the lowest level that remains comfortable and clear. Louder does not mean better, and prolonged listening at high volumes can worsen hearing damage over time.
If you are regularly exposed to noisy environments, it is also essential to wear appropriate hearing protection. You can ask your employer or hearing professional for help choosing the right type of protection and checking that it is properly inserted or worn. Hearing protection is only effective if it is well-fitted and suited to the noise level.
In summary, there is no universal answer. Some people benefit from wearing hearing aids and headphones simultaneously, others prefer one or the other. The main thing is to do what best suits your comfort, safety, and hearing needs.
4. Adopt coping strategies to hear better at work
In addition to these steps to hear better at work, you can implement other tips to make your professional life easier.
Communication
Start by adjusting your communication style. Use email and instant messaging more to exchange more in writing. This way, you'll rely on your sight rather than your hearing.
Meetings
Ask for agendas to be printed and distributed in advance: it will be easier to follow. Your brain will be able to reconstruct the context even if you don't perfectly perceive every word. Sit as close as possible to the speaker when possible, so you don't have to strain from the back of the room.
Face-to-face conversations
During an in-person conversation, make sure your interlocutor is facing you so you can see their lips. Lip-reading helps you understand what is being said to you and stay informed about what's happening at work. Ask your colleagues to avoid talking to you from across the room. You can also limit distractions by avoiding multitasking during an exchange.
Telephone accommodations
Employees who spend a lot of time on the phone should ask their employer for hearing aid compatible handsets. Not all earphones are comfortable when pressed against a hearing aid, and changing them can greatly simplify your work. Also ask if there are transcription tools for your phone and video conferencing systems.
Hear better to live better
Hearing is one of your most precious senses, and as soon as it begins to decline, taking care of it must become a priority. At work and in everyday life, even small changes – improving listening habits or wearing hearing aids – can make a huge difference in how you communicate and stay connected with others.
Everyone starts their hearing journey at a different point. Whether you choose to have a comprehensive hearing test with a professional or start with an at-home test, understanding your needs is the first step. If you are concerned about your hearing, if you feel it is deteriorating, or if you experience symptoms like tinnitus or dizziness, consult a doctor.
That said, many people with mild to moderate hearing loss do not need very complex technology. Affordable over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids can perfectly meet everyday needs, especially for adults looking for a simple, rechargeable, and easy-to-use solution.
If you are ready to hear better, don't wait any longer. Discover CLARIA solutions and find the rechargeable OTC hearing aid that suits your needs and budget. Connect today to take advantage of the best prices and start hearing better, without delay.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/preventhearingloss/default.html https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52738-Hearing-loss-in-the-workplace https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/hearing-loss-in-the-workplace https://speechhearing.com/how-better-hearing-can-help-your-career/ https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults https://www.consumerreports.org/hearing-ear-care/headphones-and-hearing-aids/ https://claria.com/collections/rechargeable-hearing-aids
