Untreated hearing loss could be limiting career progression, study finds

Untreated hearing loss could be affecting employees’ performance and career progression, according to research.

The EuroTrak UK 2025 survey of more than 15,000 people found that, among hearing aid users who wished they had sought help sooner, 27% believed delaying treatment had negatively affected their performance at work.

Nearly half (46%) of hearing aid users agreed that people with untreated hearing loss were less likely to be promoted, while 42% believed they were less likely to get the job they deserved.

More than a third (36%) believed untreated hearing loss could result in people being underpaid.

The research also found that 33% of employed hearing aid users believed wearing hearing aids would enable them to remain in work for longer.

Respondents reported improvements after beginning to use hearing aids, with 41% saying their success at work had improved and 43% reporting better relationships with colleagues.

A further 71% reported improved communication, while 50% experienced greater confidence and 40% reported improvements to their mental wellbeing.

Paul Edmondson, senior HR consultant at HighBarHR, said: “Hearing loss is often an invisible disability and employees can easily be misunderstood. Someone who appears quiet in meetings, asks colleagues to repeat themselves or misses information isn’t necessarily disengaged or underperforming – they may simply be struggling to hear.