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Original poster

Worried I'll lose out on a job if I wear my hearing aids for interview

49 replies

GMH1974 · 21/07/2022 20:25

As the title says, I'm worried my hearing will count against me. I think I'm older than a lot of other candidates too. I'm wondering if I should try to manage without the hearing aids at interview so I can't be discriminated against. I had to leave my previous job because my manager was horrible about my hearing.

OP posts:
MsFogi · 21/07/2022 20:27

I would just wear them - way better than struggling in an interview without them. I think only idiots would see hearing aids as a big deal and you wouldn't want to work for someone that would have discriminated against you anyway.

Original poster
GMH1974 · 21/07/2022 20:28

I do see that, but I also want a job and was discriminated against in my last job.

OP posts:
Donelurking · 21/07/2022 20:30

Wear them. It’s illegal to discriminate against someone using a hearing aid: As I suspect you know. You are far better off being to hear in an interview.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 21/07/2022 20:31

It would be illegal for them to discriminate against your hearing aids.

Just wear them!

Perple · 21/07/2022 20:34

Would not cross my mind to hold it as a negative against someone because they ear hearing aids!!!!

your old workplace sounds horrible.

unless the job is Listener For Very Quiet Sounds I can’t imagine it would be an issue. And If it is hounded don’t want to work there!

mumoffloofs · 21/07/2022 20:46

You should wear them. You'll perform better with them in as you won't struggle as much to interact with the panel. I've interviewed someone who needed a reasonable adjustment but they didn't tell us that until we'd already made our decisions on who to recruit. By that point it was too late but if we'd known we would have been able to do the interview differently. Not necessarily the same as your situation but if you can't be yourself at interview then you'll be worrying you can't be yourself if you go and work for them. They should be supportive and actively helping you integrate into the workplace once you're successful. I really would much rather someone came to an interview comfortable than potentially missed out on an opportunity because they were scared of what we'd think. Good luck with the interview 💐

Original poster
GMH1974 · 21/07/2022 20:52

It's a trainee accountant role

OP posts:
Perple · 21/07/2022 21:06

Hearing aids totally not an issue for that

BusySittingDown · 21/07/2022 21:11

It's illegal to hold it against you.

unless the job that you're going for is a professional hearer then there is no reason why you wouldn't get the job!

I was born deaf and have got the job of every interview I've ever been to.

Bagzzz · 21/07/2022 21:24

I understand your worry, in balance I think you lose more by not being able to hear the questions and answer clearly.

Disability and age discrimination are off course both unlawful and some employers are excellent. However the issue is it’s often difficult to prove discrimination. There are a number of reasons another person may have got the job. Even if the interviewer stares at a walking aid no proof it affected the decision.

AhaLyn · 21/07/2022 21:29

It’s hard because I get the feeling op, anyone believing employers don’t discriminate against disabilities is living in a fairy land or never been affected by this. I’ve experienced it, I know the fear. The thing is what if you need help at some point? Also, there may be an occupational health assessment as part of the recruitment process and it’s best to be honest, OH are there to make life easier. But I definitely get it, I was bullied for a disability and it made me very worried about how to handle future roles.

HumunaHey · 21/07/2022 21:30

So how will you feel if you don't wear them and get the job? Will you then feel nervous to wear them on the first day?

I know it's not the same, but from my POV, it's no different to someone wearing glasses. I really wouldn't have an altered opinion about someone wearing hearing aids.

neilyoungismyhero · 21/07/2022 21:33

I wear the NHS ones that you pop behind your ears, pref them to the ones that actually go in your ears. Not one person has ever mentioned that they see I'm wearing them and when the wind blows my hair its impossible still to see any sign of them. My SIL also wears them and he's bald! again I can't see that he's wearing them. Yours must be similar?

Mischance · 21/07/2022 21:36

I would also see it as no different to wearing glasses ..... short-sighted? - wear your glasses; hard of hearing? - wear your hearing aids.

I wear hearing aids and have done for years. I wear them all the time and in all situations and it has never held me back in any way. To have to keep asking the interviewers to repeat things would be uncomfortable for everyone.

I have a friend who needs aids but won't get them - it is blooming irritating to have to keep repeating stuff.

2bazookas · 21/07/2022 21:38

Wear the aids. You surely know that many hearing
people never even notice them anyway.

If you don't wear them, you'll be at a communication disadvantage. If you misinterpret they might think you're a bit dim, or not paying attention. Those are not qualities people seek in a new employee.

fizzywat · 21/07/2022 21:40

I use hearing aids, and wear them with pride! Best thing ever to improve my quality of my life and those around me!

I wear my hair up most days and while they are very discreet, I don't care if anyone sees them. They are such a help, the more people use them, the less of a "stigma" there will be. My hearing is BAAAAD due to childhood meningitis.

Wear them, but if you don't want to say you use them, can you disguise them with your hair? Surely not using them will lower your interraction with interviewers so I can't understand why you would want to do that. I would not be able to hear a word the panel said without mine either way!

Or be upfront and say you use hearing assistance devices. Say it out to them. If you get the bluetooth ones like I have you can connect to the phone and it is brilliant, shouldn't have any impact in the workplace whatsoever.

Original poster
GMH1974 · 21/07/2022 21:41

The hearing aids are pretty discreet, there's a bit which goes in the ear and a bit which sits behind.

OP posts:
RedCarsGoFaster · 21/07/2022 21:45

How will you manage without them? Will it significantly impair your ability to manage the communication during the interview process?

If you're worried they see them and discriminate, can you cover them with your hair or will that cause issues as well?

Realistically, you're a bit damned if you do or don't, so maybe do wear them and you're in a position to give it your all?

I get it - I have a hidden disability which I don't discuss in those terms very often because I don't want people to consider me differently, however on a bad day I absolutely need people to understand what's happening to me or they'll call an ambulance / otherwise overreact to something that's very normal for my life. Disabilities can be a real PITA when you have them no matter what other people think!

Namechanger355 · 21/07/2022 21:46

GMH1974 · 21/07/2022 20:52

It's a trainee accountant role

Interview many candidates for that role - honestly wouldn’t think twice about hearing aids

Much better for you and your performance to be able to hear

GetThatHelmetOn · 21/07/2022 21:49

I just left a job because my manager saw my need for my hearing loss to be accommodated as me being unreasonable or picky.

I think my now ex boss was massively out of order but people are normally very accommodating, I normally start the interview by making them aware I have a hearing loss so, I may stare at them at points but it is just because I am lip reading. That gets the elephant out of the room and we can continue with the interview as normal.

HardTimesHarder · 21/07/2022 21:52

I’m autistic and I sought advice about whether to declare it or not. Someone replied and said “if they decided not to employ you because of their misconceptions would you want to work for them at all?” And I agree with that sentiment.

someone who would overlook you because of hearing aids likely won’t be a supportive employer

JaninaDuszejko · 21/07/2022 21:54

Wear them, you will perform better in the interview and for employers that aren't prejudiced that's a good thing. Do you need them to nake any reasonable adjustment,best to raise before the interview.

I understand you've been hurt by your previous employer's (offensive and illegal) behaviour but think of wearing your hearing aids for interview as a way to exclude potential discriminatory employers who will make you feel shit, just remember the majority of people won't discriminate against you because you wearing hearing aids does not have an impact on your ability to do the job. Good luck!

jessieminto · 21/07/2022 22:10

I have a disability and have been very heavily discriminated against in the past. I can hide it at interview and so I choose to. I understand where you are coming from. I'm also an employer and interview candidates often.

I'd recommend you wear them so that you can perform to the best of your ability. They are not legally allowed to ask you about hearing loss, and so shouldn't do. But they may have questions and not having those answers may put you at a disadvantage.

When you get to the part of the interview where they ask if you have any questions, ask your prepared questions about the role/company etc. Then ask them if they have any questions about managing someone with hearing loss. Explain what adjustments you would ask for at work eg to be seated facing the room, not with you back to most people. Add any other adjustments you are already aware of and reassure them that they don't need to do anything wildly different from anyone else. If you need to attend regular medical appointments then it's worth mentioning at this stage, but if you don't, you should absolutely say that too.

Best of luck. Flowers

pimlicoanna · 21/07/2022 22:14

Oh gosh. Please wear them.

TurquoiseDreamCatcher · 21/07/2022 22:15

I love my hearing aids, they are part of my identity. I've even jazzed them up with stickers 🤣 I've worn them since childhood though so I'm very comfortable with them.

If you are worried about wearing them at the interview, could you wear them but with your hair down so they are less visible?