I Wanted a Job Promotion, So I Got Hearing Aids
It might not be the first solution that comes to mind when thinking about career growth but for me, getting hearing aids was one of the smartest professional moves I’ve ever made.
As we move through our careers, many of us step into roles with greater responsibility. We lead teams, present at meetings, attend networking events, and participate in strategy sessions. All these tasks demand strong communication skills, and it was clearly evident during COVID I struggled to hear during my online meetings. This is when I knew hearing loss was starting to interfere and colleagues started to be suspicious.
I wasn’t ignoring conversations or zoning out in meetings, I simply wasn’t hearing them properly. I was missing key details in fast-paced discussions, needing people to repeat themselves, and avoiding social catchups after work because it felt too hard to keep up. My confidence began to dip. I felt less sharp, even though I knew I had the skills. And when a promotion opportunity came up, I knew I had to act, not just polish my resume, but address the barrier that was holding me back.
So, I got a hearing test and then, I got hearing aids.
At Victorian Hearing, I discovered that hearing aids today are not what they used to be. They’re discreet, smart, and incredibly advanced. Even better, they can be paired with accessories like remote microphones, which were a game changer for me. In boardrooms or group settings, I can place the microphone near the speaker or on the meeting table. The audio streams straight to my hearing aids, cutting through background noise and helping me follow the conversation with ease.
With hearing aids, I no longer feel like I’m playing catch-up in meetings. I contribute more confidently, stay engaged in fast-moving discussions, and no longer second-guess what I think I heard. I’m more relaxed, more present, and importantly more effective in my role. My partner even told me that they noticed I was paying more attention to them instead of focusing on their lips. I didn’t even realize I was doing this!
Hearing well also transformed how I manage my team. Leadership requires listening not just to instructions, but to concerns, feedback, and ideas. My improved hearing allows me to truly connect with my colleagues and lead with greater empathy and clarity.
The truth is, hearing loss often creeps in gradually, and many professionals don’t realize just how much it’s affecting their performance until they address it. But untreated hearing loss can lead to misunderstandings, reduced productivity, and even being passed over for career advancement.
Getting hearing aids wasn’t just a health decision, it was a career decision. I invested in my hearing so I could continue showing up as the best version of myself at work.
If you’ve noticed it’s getting harder to follow conversations or you feel less confident in professional settings, don’t wait. At Victorian Hearing, they offer independent, ethical audiology care tailored to your needs. I was impressed with the range of hearing devices they were able to offer and explain with great detail how they differed, and which would be the best solution for me considering my work life balance and budget. From comprehensive assessments to personalized hearing aid fittings and advanced accessories, my audiologist was really here to help me succeed, not just hear.