Tinnitus and Productivity: Strategies for Work

Did you know tinnitus affects more than 50 million people in the US alone. While ranging in severity, this symptom, which causes a high-pitched internal ringing noise, can impact an affected individual’s life in many ways. For example, various studies have found that tinnitus can impact workplace performance.

How Does Tinnitus Impact Productivity and Work?

Tinnitus often impacts workplace performance, whether the affected individual is working in an office environment or a factory. There are many potential reasons for this. Like many other hearing issues, tinnitus can lead to communication difficulties, which, therefore, limit the ways in which individuals can interact with their colleagues. This can quickly impede productivity rates and levels, as they find it harder to work collaboratively with others.

Beyond this, the psychological impact of tinnitus, such as increased feelings of anxiety or frustration, can also take their toll on workplace performance and productivity. For example, it could mean that individuals find it much harder to focus on the task at hand as they are distracted by the noise in their ears.

How to Manage Tinnitus in the Workplace

If you are dealing with any of the symptoms of tinnitus or have been exposed to specific triggers, it’s important that you’re aware of the different treatment options available. After all, this means that you’ll be able to effectively manage your symptoms and the impact it has on you at work.

Wearing Ear Protection

Prolonged exposure to loud noises is one of the most common causes of tinnitus and can also make symptoms worse. As such, wearing ear protection at work is essential. Typically, this classifies as personal protective equipment, which means it should be provided by your employer. If you are sure which protection to use consult your audiologist.

Wearing Hearing Aids with Masking Features

Many people find the hissing or ringing noise typically associated with tinnitus to be distracting, which means they find it harder to focus at work. This can be remedied, however, by wearing hearing aids with masking features, which can help to drown out this noise by amplifying other external noises. White noise machines can also help to a similar effect.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

Tinnitus retraining therapy can also help to boost workplace productivity when dealing with tinnitus. This is because it helps to reduce the psychological impact the issue has by ensuring that you are no longer aware of the sound. In short, it’s a therapeutic program designed to help individuals ignore the ringing noise in their ears. This is achieved through the use of hearing aids and other devices, alongside talking therapy.

Lifestyle Changes

Making an effort to live a healthier lifestyle is also known to lessen the severity of tinnitus, therefore reducing the impact it has on your work, too. For example, many have linked a reduction in symptoms to quitting smoking or drinking. Following a healthy balanced diet can bring forth similar positive results. As such, transitioning to a healthier lifestyle is key! Talk with your audiologist about these treatments and which might be best for you.