**London**: Business owner Jo McClure shares her journey with hearing loss and its impact on her professional life. She advocates for proactive hearing checks and suggests that employers establish conservation programs to create supportive work environments for all employees, enhancing communication and productivity.
Hearing health in the workplace has emerged as a crucial topic, particularly highlighted by Jo McClure, the owner and director of JM Virtual Business Services. In an interview with Inside Small Business, she shared her personal journey through hearing loss, which began approximately eighteen months ago.
McClure’s career, centred around communication, faced significant challenges when she encountered difficulties participating in business networking events with large crowds. As a member of the Membership Committee for a large chapter of Business Networking International (BNI), McClure is accustomed to facilitating meetings with at least a hundred attendees. However, the increasing noise level during these gatherings created an environment where she described the sound as resembling “all one voice,” making it hard to discern individual conversations.
Her struggles were not limited to in-person events; online meetings presented their own set of challenges. “I’d always have to put on a transcriber, so I could read what was happening,” she explained, illustrating her reliance on additional technological support to compensate for her hearing difficulties.
The impact of her hearing loss extended beyond her professional life, affecting personal interactions as well. McClure recounted instances where her ex-partner expressed frustration, wondering if she was intentionally ignoring him or genuinely unable to hear.
The pivotal moment came when McClure decided to undergo a hearing test, motivated by information linking menopause to hearing loss. She was initially advised to monitor certain concerns but ultimately sought further assistance a year later as her symptoms continued to worsen. Following a trial with hearing aids, she experienced a significant transformation. “I remember standing in a crowded room next to one of my colleagues,” she recounted, sharing that she could respond without relying solely on lip-reading, marking a notable improvement in her ability to engage with others.
The effect of these hearing aids on her professional activities has been described by McClure as “life changing.” She stated, “I can hear without lip reading. I’m not as exhausted at the end of the day. Everything’s just easier.” This newfound clarity also reignited her passion for her business, allowing her to reconnect with her enthusiasm for her work.
McClure’s experiences have led her to advocate for proactive hearing checks, particularly for individuals navigating menopause. She identified a social stigma surrounding ageing and hearing loss, stating, “I think there is a bit of a stigma around, I think just getting older.” To combat this stigma, she encourages others, regardless of their perceived need, to undergo hearing tests, even suggesting simple online tests as a starting point.
Employers in similar industries can take practical steps to promote hearing health in the workplace. Establishing hearing conservation programs could be beneficial, with a focus on creating hearing-healthy office environments. Such initiatives may enhance communication, boost productivity, and increase job satisfaction among employees, thus contributing to a more effective and supportive workplace.
Source: Noah Wire Services
