Do your research

Prior to the interview, make sure you have a clear understanding of the position requirements and responsibilities. Knowing the type of environment you’ll be working in and whether you’ll be making presentations, participating in conference calls, traveling frequently or attending large events will help you identify where you may need accommodations.

You should also learn as much as you can about the organization you’ve applied to work for. Not only will you impress potential employers with your company knowledge, but you may also discover programs, resources and other support available for hard-of-hearing employees.

Know your rights

As a job applicant with a hearing impairment, it’s important to understand your rights in case you ever need to advocate for yourself. Read up on laws regarding hearing loss in the workplace at EEOC.gov, and find answers to common questions below.   

• Am I required to tell potential employers I have a hearing loss? No, you are not legally required to tell an employer about your hearing loss or any other medical condition. Employers cannot legally ask if you have a hearing impairment, use a hearing aid or inquire about your medical condition or history during an interview.
• When should I tell a potential employer I have a hearing loss? Unless you need special accommodation, it’s up to you. If you have mild hearing loss, you may feel it’s unnecessary to mention. If you have moderate to severe hearing loss that could require accommodations, consider informing the interviewer before your meeting.
• What should I do if I need special accommodation for my hearing loss? If you need to request an accommodation for your hearing loss at your interview, you’ll need to tell your potential employer about your hearing loss in advance. Employers are legally required to make reasonable accommodations both during the hiring process and after an offer of employment is made.
• Can an employer refuse to hire me because of my hearing loss? An employer cannot refuse to hire someone who has a hearing impairment as long as the applicant can safely perform the essential job tasks. Some occupations, however, require exceptional hearing. Examples include military and emergency service workers, bus drivers and air traffic controllers. Due to safety concerns, these may not be suitable jobs for hearing-impaired individuals. 

Put your best ear forward

If you wear hearing aids, use them to your advantage. Hearing aids have multiple listening programs that can be adjusted to help you hear speech clearly in small or large groups, noisy or echoing environments, etc. Many are equipped with voice isolation technology that can isolate the most prominent speaker’s voice from background noise so it’s easier to understand. Find out ahead of time where your interview will be conducted and how many people will be attending; fielding questions from three people will present different listening challenges than a one-on-one conversation. Whether your interview will be conducted over the phone, at a coffee shop or in an office conference room, take time beforehand to program your hearing aids accordingly. 

Ace the interview

Study up on interview questions specific to the job or field and prepare a few answers that will help you stand out. Spend a few hours rehearsing to sharpen up your interviewing skills and boost your confidence before the big day.

If and when you discuss your hearing loss at an interview, be specific and provide context. Don’t just say “I’m hard-of-hearing” or “I wear hearing aids” and move on—it may make your interviewer feel uncomfortable or unsure of your ability to succeed on the job. Instead, briefly explain how you use hearing aids to help you hear better. Consider providing examples of how you’ve successfully coped with hearing loss at work. Being open and transparent can go a long way to improve communication during the interview and help both you and the interviewer feel at ease. The more relaxed and confident you are about your hearing loss, the more confident your interviewer will be, too.