Affiliations: VU University Medical Center, Department of
ENT/Audiology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands | EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research,
Amsterdam, the Netherlands | VU University Medical Center, Department of
Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Note: [] Corresponding author: M. Stam, VU University Medical Center,
Department of ENT/Audiology, P.O. Box 5700, 1007 MB Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Tel.: +31 20 444 09 02; Fax: +31 20 444 09 83; E-mail: mari.stam@vumc.nl
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between hearing status,
socioeconomic status and work status. PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional data of 18–64 year old
participants (N=1888) from the National Longitudinal Study on Hearing (NL-SH)
were used. Both normal hearing and hearing impaired subjects participated. METHODS: Hearing ability in noise was measured with the National
Hearing test, an online speech-in-noise test. Educational level, monthly
income, being primary income earner and working status (i.e. paid employment,
unemployed and looking for work, unfit for work, voluntary work, household
work, being a student, or taking early retirement, and the type of work
contract) were assessed with a questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were
applied. RESULTS: Participants with poorer hearing ability were less likely
to be found in the upper categories of educational level and income, having
paid work > 12 hours per week, being a student, or taking early retirement.
On the other hand they were more likely to look for work or to be unfit for
work. No associations were found with voluntary work and household work. DISCUSSION: Hearing ability seems to be related to both
socioeconomic status and being employed. Our findings underline the importance
of rehabilitation programs in audiology, aimed at supporting people with
hearing impairment to help them to successfully enter or re-enter the
workforce.
Keywords: Hearing impairment, (un)employed, socioeconomic status, voluntary work, household work
