On the Job with Hearing Loss Part 1: Before the Job and During the Interview

The Hearing Loss Association of America recently updated their “Employment Toolkit” which was originally published in 2009. The publication is free to both employers and employees with hearing loss to view, download, or print. Although packed with extremely important and worthy information, the document is hefty: coming in at 28 pages.

At HearCare Rhode Island, we care about saving you time and energy, so we did the work for you. Read below for part 1 of our quick and abridged version of the imperative “Employment Toolkit” from the Hearing Loss Association of America.

A vital decision for jobseekers to make is whether to reveal their hearing loss to potential employers before or during an interview. In order to answer this question, there are a few considerations to make first.

1. Is the preliminary interview over the phone?
   Many employers offer initial screening interviews over the phone. If you need accommodations to effectively communicate over the phone such as IP Relay or Captioned Phone Service, it will be a good idea to let the employer know so that you can make the appropriate arrangements.

2. Do you need accommodations or do you have an Assistive Listening Device (ALD)?
   If you need an accommodation to understand an interview – it is important to request this. If you have your own ALD, bring it to the interview and just briefly explain it – very matter-of-factly. Making these requests or using the supports you need to fully engage in the interview process will show your ability to problem-solve, and manage your own hearing loss in a positive manner.

3. How many people will be at the interview?
   You may be able to easily handle an interview with one person, face-to-face, however it may become more difficult to interview with a large panel of interviewers. Keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to reveal your hearing loss before an interview.

4. Will you need accommodations on the job?
   If you will need accommodations in order to be successful at work, it is imperative that you reveal your hearing loss at the interview. Don’t apologize for your hearing loss, just state very clearly and simply the accommodations you will need. Don’t spend too much time on the topic. Instead, focus on your strengths and what you can do for the company.

When preparing for an interview, it is important for all potential employees to do their research on the job for which they are applying. Read general interview planning guides for suggestions on how to do this. The following are a few preparations that are especially important for interviewees with hearing loss.

1. Understand your Interviewer
   It is important to put yourself in your interviewer’s shoes. They do not know you and may not know much about hearing loss. They are simply looking for the best person for the job. Keep an eye out for your interviewer being uncomfortable. They may not know how to act and may be wondering how much accommodation for hearing loss will cost or if a person with hearing loss can get the job done. This is why it is important to have the accommodations prepared prior to your interview. Using the supports you need, convince the interviewer that you are the right person for the job by focusing on your skills, experience and competence.

2. Control your Anxiety
   Take some time before the interview to list your strengths. It is a good idea to actually write them out rather than just thinking about them. Seeing the list will help to improve your confidence. Be prepared with concrete examples of times your competence made a difference in the workplace. It can also be helpful to list all your fears about the interview and then tackle each one individually. For example, list “I am afraid when an employer asks me about my hearing loss”. To attack this fear, practice a quick and matter-of-fact explanation of your hearing loss, and be sure to end the statement with how you have overcome your impairment to make an impact in the workplace.

3. Practice Interviews
   Although it may feel weird, grab a friend or family member and practice the interview. Having gone through the process will make the actual interview seem less overwhelming.

For more tips and to read the entire Employment Toolkit, click here: https://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/HLAA_Employment_Toolkit.pdf

If you experience a hearing loss, one of the best ways to prepare for a job interview is to be aware of your hearing abilities. At HearCare Rhode Island, our friendly team provides comprehensive hearing tests and consultations. Get in touch with us before your next big interview!