unilateral hearing loss and the workplace?

Question

If someone has really bad hearing loss in one ear that prevents them from hearing everything people say.Then should they let their employer know about it? Also what advice would you give them about rude customers who become short because they can't hear them because they're too quiet for their good ear to pick up the sound or the person isn't speaking clearly to be understood? I just think it's wrong for anyone to be rude to the handicapped and slightly handicapped people.No matter the reason. Because it's not like they can help it.

Answer 1

Yes the person with the disability must inform their employer. This is the only way that the employer can assist the person with making accomodations.

Customers are rude no matter what. Most will understand if the person just says something like, I am having trouble with my "left" ear, I am going to turn my head to try to hear you better, but I am definitely listening to your concerns. That will make most customers a little more willing to work with the worker. But there will always be some who are just mean or impatient or whatever, who will not care if the employee has a disability or not, they are going to take out their anger on the employee. The best response to these is to work hard on customer service skills of letting angry people vent without escalating, and then giving them what they want. After all, most places do have the employees train that "the customer is always right."

And yes, it is wrong for people to be rude to those with disabilities. But it isn't going to go away soon. The best way to help is to inform, teach whole communities at a time. The more disabled there are out in the community, the more people will come in contact with them, and over time, they will be seen as people, and not "the disabled."

Answer 2

The hearing impaired person should inform the person they can't hear them because of the impairment. If you can't understand them still have a coworker listen for you or ask the customer to write the word you can't hear.
The employer will need to make reasonable accommodation but if that isn't enough ask to transfer to a place that you don't need to talk to the general public.