World Inclusion Day: 5 simple ways to stand out as an inclusive employer

October 10th is a big day in the global well-being calendar, marking World Inclusion Day, World Mental Health Day and World Audiologist Day. So, what’s the link? In the UK, hearing loss affects 1 in 6 working age adults (7 million people) and can lead employees to retire 7-9 years earlier. Supporting employees with unaddressed hearing loss is quickly becoming one of the major inclusivity challenges for modern employers, as it has a big impact on productivity, mental health and absenteeism.

5 ways to support employee mental health and boost inclusivity

Did you know an overwhelming 79% of Britons have never had a hearing test? Almost all businesses include eye and dental care in their employee benefit offerings, yet hearing often remains neglected.

Difficulty hearing can quickly become a major source of work-related stress, and presents a significant mental health challenge in both personal and professional life. Employees report feeling isolated as they struggle to engage in the community around them, and anxious and stressed about a reduced ability to perform well in the workplace. On average, employees with hearing loss earn ￡2,000 less per annum than their co-workers, and ultimately retire nine years earlier.

5 tips for employers:

1. Promote auditory health and well-being with educational lunch and learn sessions for your team.
2. Provide access to a platform such as eargym for employees to take care of their hearing with regular testing, hearing training, and expert advice.
3. Provide workers with high-quality tools, machinery and protective equipment, along with training on their correct use and maintenance.
4. Isolate loud noise to one room where possible, and fit silencers where possible to dampen the sound of machinery.
5. Encourage an open and supportive dialogue between management and employees to understand their needs and receive any suggestions for further support.

eargym is seeking to bring much better hearing health to the workplace. We are working with businesses to help support their employees and foster inclusive workplaces.? Find out more about how eargym can help your business here.

What is eargym doing for World Inclusion Day?

eargym is holding a LinkedIn Live Event on Tuesday 10th of October, 12:30pm - “Why Hearing Loss is the Next Big Inclusivity Challenge for Employers”.

We will be covering:

• Why addressing hearing loss can create an environment where every employee feels valued and heard.
• The role of employers in fostering an inclusive culture, including practical strategies, technologies and policies that can make your workplace more inclusive.
• Insights from experts in hearing healthcare on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by hearing loss in the workplace.

Join us in this crucial conversation about inclusivity, diversity and the future of work.?Register today, and even if you can’t make it, we will send you a recording of the event.

What are the benefits of being an inclusive employer?

• Foster a supportive work culture: Have open and honest conversations about hearing health to build trust with your employees and promote an inclusive company culture.
• Boost employee productivity: Caring for our hearing health helps to reduce listening fatigue, anxiety, and stress. Minimise absenteeism and presenteeism caused by unaddressed hearing loss.
• Retain top-performing talent: Ensure your most senior employees feel supported and able to deliver their best work throughout the later stages of their careers.
• Stand out with an innovative offering: Be competitive in the hiring marketplace where employee benefits and well-being support are often more valuable than salary alone.

Find out more here.

Help spread the word

To mark World Alzheimer’s Day it was great to see several publications raise awareness on the connection between hearing loss and dementia. eargym’s CEO and Co-founder, Amanda Philpott, shared more on how hearing loss can significantly increase the risk of social isolation, which in turn can lead to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Find out more:

• Huffington Post
• Daily Express
• The Sun
• Daily Star

Pilot Insights: eargym’s free hearing health webinar

• A core part of eargym’s offering is focused on raising awareness of the importance of hearing healthcare. eargym’s educational programme starts with a company-wide webinar to measure interest in hearing health and includes a live hearing assessment.
• These are hugely popular and we are proud that the team delivered the Alzheimer’s Society’s most successful lunch and learn session with over 300 attendees.

"We are delighted to be partnering with eargym ..Research suggests people with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia in later life. This is why it’s so important people take good care of their hearing, and eargym’s app is an accessible and intuitive way to do that"- Simon Lord, Head of Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society