Jo McClure says employers should take hearing health seriously – and start with routine checks
Business owner Jo McClure knows firsthand how hearing loss can quietly undermine professional confidence and how life-changing the right support can be.
Now she’s calling on employers to take hearing health more seriously, starting with routine checks and a workplace culture that encourages openness - as opposed to stigma - for those with hearing issues.
McClure is the owner and director of JM Virtual Business Services. Her work depends on clear communication, both online and in person. But around two years ago, she began to notice she was having issues, particularly at events with large numbers of people. She regularly facilitates meetings of more than 100 people for international business networking groups.
Increasingly, she found herself overwhelmed. “The sound just became all one voice,” she said. “I couldn’t distinguish individual conversations.”
It wasn’t just in-person events. Even on video calls, McClure needed to rely on transcription tools to keep up. At home, the strain was just as real.
She recalled her former partner asking whether she was genuinely unable to hear or was just ignoring him. The comment stung, but it also prompted her to take action.
After reading about links between menopause and hearing loss, she booked a hearing test. Although she was initially advised to monitor her symptoms, she returned a year later as things worsened. A trial with hearing aids made an immediate difference.
“I remember standing in a crowded room next to a colleague and realising I was responding naturally,” she said. “I wasn’t relying on lip-reading any more.”
‘Life-changing’ impact
For McClure, hearing aids didn’t just improve communication, they transformed how she worked. “I’m not as exhausted at the end of the day,” she said. “I can focus. I’m re-engaged with my business. Everything’s just easier.”
That experience has made her an advocate for early action. She encourages others to get tested, especially women going through menopause, but also anyone in a role that involves a lot of verbal interaction.
“There’s still a stigma attached to ageing and hearing loss,” she said. “But if something feels off, don’t wait. Just get tested.”
Why employers should pay attention
McClure believes more employers should consider implementing hearing conservation programmes. Not just for older workers or those in noisy environments, but across the board and especially in open-plan offices or client-facing industries.
Eva Opitz, a Clinical Audiologist at Hearology®, agrees. “More and more employers are beginning to recognise the impact that untreated hearing issues can have on communication and productivity,“ she said. “Microsuction earwax removal, hearing consultations and the optimisation of workplace acoustics are all services that can be effectively provided on site at your workplace. They help employees stay sharp and supported and prevent bigger issues further down the line.”
McClure’s message is clear: don’t underestimate the cumulative toll of hearing loss. For her, the benefits of hearing support were immediate and energising. “I’m just not straining any more,” she said. “And that makes a world of difference.”
References
- Hearing loss NHS – Overview of hearing loss, including symptoms, causes and how to access treatment and support in the UK.
- Workplace Hearing Loss – Outlines what employers should know about hearing conservation programmes in the workplace.
- How to make your workplace inclusive for deaf staff and staff with hearing loss and tinnitus – Offers guidance for employers on making workplaces more accessible for people with hearing loss.
