As HR professionals, we constantly seek ways to
Hearing loss affects nearly a third of U.S. employees, yet only 11% of employers offer hearing benefits. This gap presents a significant missed opportunity for companies to not only improve their
Those who can't hear, have trouble listening… and those that have trouble listening have trouble understanding and, in turn, caring. Each of these skills are essential in our workplace. Offering hearing benefits isn't just a nice-to-have perk — it's a strategic investment in the success of both your company and your employees.
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The business advantages of hearing benefits
1. Enhanced productivity and communication
Clear communication is critical for workplace efficiency. Employees with untreated hearing loss often struggle to understand their colleagues, engage in meetings, and contribute to discussions. In fact, TruHearing's research shows that untreated hearing loss leads to more burnout and less participation in meetings. Those who pursued hearing care, however, experienced significant improvement in the workplace, including more participation and less frustration around misunderstanding employees.
2. Affordability and cost-effectiveness
One of the biggest concerns when adding new benefits is cost. However, hearing benefits are surprisingly affordable — often available for as little as $0.05 PMPM. This is a fraction of the cost of other standard benefits like dental ($6 PMPM) or vision ($15 PMPM). With such a low investment, hearing benefits offer a high return in terms of employee satisfaction and productivity.
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3. Stronger employee retention and recruitment
In today's competitive labor market, benefits can be a key differentiator. A staggering 40% of employees say they would be more likely to stay with an employer who offers hearing benefits, and 34% would be more likely to consider joining a company that provides them. Interest in hearing solutions has continued to grow year-over-year, and those who implement this offering have an opportunity to stand out to both current and prospective employees.
I've seen firsthand the impact of hearing care solutions, both in and out of the office. Personally, I have three family members that have taken advantage of the hearing benefit offered by my employer. Each one has had their own unique journey with hearing loss — the stigmas, the concerns, the misunderstandings — but each of them has also greatly benefited from an employer-provided benefit. I am part of the 40% of employees interested in staying employed right where I am so I can help those I love stay connected to hearing, listening, understanding, and caring.
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Offering hearing benefits is a straightforward, impactful way to align with your company's broader wellness initiatives and enables employees to live and work to their fullest potential. Just as vision, dental, and mental health benefits have become standard, hearing care deserves the same attention. With the help of a trusted partner who knows the hearing benefit space well, it has never been easier, or more affordable to take action to implement a hearing benefit, so HR teams can focus on what they do best: supporting their workforce.
By providing hearing coverage, businesses can foster a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce — without the hassle or high costs often associated with new benefits. The question isn't whether you can afford to offer hearing benefits; it's whether you can afford not to.
