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With hearing loss now affecting more than 50 million Americans, job-related issues are becoming common among adults in the workforce. Communication challenges with colleagues often lead to frustration, listening fatigue, and missing important information. Hearing loss may also affect employment and, in some cases, income potential.
in spite of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws to protect people with hearing loss from discrimination, some employment disparities still exist.
- only 57.1% of adults With hearing loss they workCompared to 73.3% of hearing people. (National Center for the Deaf)
- People with hearing loss earn about 25% less; Their average wage was $23,481, compared to $31,272 for their peers with normal hearing. (Hearing journal)
See more facts and statistics about the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Hearing loss in numbers Website page.
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) In October, we asked four volunteer members of the HLAA Task Force for Inclusive and Accessible Employment To share their professional insights and workplace strategies through their life experiences. The staff provides a range of resources and offers quarterly webinars to help employees with hearing loss get the support they need and succeed at work.
Don’t let “I can’t” shape your future
Hearing loss not only affects the way we hear, but it also affects the way the world hears us.
HLAA Recruitment Task Force Member Theo Shumsky.
For Theodore “Theo” Chomsky, graduating from college held promise of opportunity, but his hearing loss soon began to close its doors. Jobs in law enforcement, aviation and the military were off-limits, and phone interviews made him anxious. “Every misunderstood word was a missed opportunity,” he recalls.
Ibrahim Dabo faced another path: “I did not realize that hearing loss was the root cause of many of my struggles until I was diagnosed. Over the course of more than a decade, I faced challenges – social isolation, stress, and even burnout – without knowing why. Accepting the diagnosis was difficult, but it ultimately changed the way I saw myself, my journey, and my purpose.”
But barriers don’t have to be the end of our stories. Each of us can discover our own ways to turn obstacles into achievements and shape our future.
what for you breakthrough?
Turning points and approaches vary from person to person, based on our unique strengths, intentions, and resolve.
Tori Carabello found that the silence was not peaceful but isolating, and asked, “Is hearing loss a barrier to a meaningful life?” Determined to change that, she launched Hear 4 Hope, a space of education and encouragement that brings people together to share experiences and support each other. This effort evolved into the HLAA Hawaii Group, where it now helps others find strength in the community. Through education, advocacy and ongoing support, the group empowers people with hearing loss and ensures their voices are heard.
Ibrahim Dabo speaks about the stigma of hearing loss on a research symposium panel at the HLAA 2025 Convention.
Ibrahim’s inner strength took him from refugee to defender, guided by faith, determination and hard work. Today he serves on the Georgia Commission on the Deaf or Hard of Hearing and is a global leader in humane technology and a former member of the HLAA Board of Directors. His journey shows how even the deepest challenges can be transformed into new possibilities, inspiring others with hearing loss to embrace resilience and live up to their fullest potential.
Michael Noble was born with profound hearing loss and received a cochlear implant as a child. His adaptability shaped his career and ultimately his leadership in the accessibility field. He now uses his platform as Task Force Chair to bridge industries and promote systemic change. Likewise, Theo relied on his persistence to turn barriers into innovation. As an enterprise accessibility technology architect, he brings his lived experience to building comprehensive solutions for the workplace.
Their paths may differ, but they point to the same conclusion: hearing loss doesn’t limit success, it redirects it. What is the key to your personal success with hearing loss?
