According to the Hearing Health Foundation, one out of five Americans have hearing loss and three out of 1000 children are born deaf. Since these numbers are staggeringly high, job opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people have doubled over the years. This has led to an increase in the percentage of educated deaf individuals. However, there are still open ends when it comes to hiring them. Reports suggest there are only 48% of people with hearing loss working, as compared to 72% of people with normal hearing. Interestingly, opportunities for the deaf and dumb community are plenty. It is not because of the lack of job roles that affect the numbers, but it is the lack of awareness and clarification. Through this blog, we will share the best jobs for deaf people that pay well.
Congenital Hearing Loss (Hearing Loss at Birth)
A most common reason for born deafness (congenital hearing loss) is Genetics. Genetic hearing loss can be present at birth or develop as the child grows. A parent with normal hearing capabilities can carry the gene that causes hearing loss. It can come from one or both parents. Other common non-genetic factors that cause hearing loss in newborns are:
– Premature birth
– Low birth weight
– Infections, such as herpes or rubella
– Injury during birthing
– Gestational diabetes
– Preeclampsia (high BP in mothers while pregnant)
– Genetics
– When the baby does not get enough oxygen (Anoxia)
– Use of drugs or alcohol when pregnant
– Jaundice and Rh factors
– Prolonged mechanical ventilation
– Meningitis
– Ototoxic medications
– Trauma
A hearing screening is done right after the child is born. Some children with genetic syndrome may also have hearing loss. Genetic syndromes are:
– Down syndrome
– Treacher Collins syndrome
– Crouzen syndrome
– Alport syndrome
– Waardenburg syndrome
– Usher syndrome
Low APGAR score
Babies with low APGAR scores may also develop hearing loss later in the years. APGAR is evaluated and scores are allotted on birth on a 10-point scale. Five parameters are considered during the evaluation – Activity (A), Pulse (P), Grimace or reflex irritability (G), Appearance or skin color (A), and Respiration (R). The scores are given at 1 minute after childbirth and 5 minutes after childbirth. Scores of 0-4 at one minute and scores of 0-6 after five minutes increase the risk of loss of hearing in newborns.
Careers for Deaf People
If you are strong at a particular skill, say drawing, you can polish it to achieve your career goals. When one of the five senses does not work, the remaining four senses power up. Hearing or not hearing would not impair your ability to accomplish your professional goals. It is not necessary that all types of career will suit everyone. While there may be jobs for which a deaf person is less suited, there are jobs that require the specific skills, talents, and limitations that deaf people have. You just have to find your skills and work on it to secure a job.
As more people learn the sign language, the career options for the deaf have widened. Today, even hearing people is learning the sign language to broaden their career options and assist differently abled people like you. We have seen significant growth in the interpreter profession. The Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts a 17 percent growth in this career by 2026. Moreover, as technology evolves, new career options will open doors for people with hearing loss, exclusively in fields like education, health, therapy, and recreation.
7 Best Job Options for Deaf People that Pay Well
1. Audiologist
If you want to inspire other people with a similar disability then this is an ideal career choice for you. Since audiologists are in demand these days, you will find plenty of job opportunities. Audiologists generally diagnose, prevent, and treat hearing loss problems. Sign language processing, lip reading, monitoring hearing aids, fitting and taking care of cochlear implants are a major part of the job profile.
However, you must learn sign language to become an audiologist. You must also learn to communicate with actions other than deaf sign languages. With a suitable qualification, you can find jobs at audiology clinics, schools, NGOs, hospitals, and other healthcare centers.
2. Psychologist
You will specialize in working with the deaf people with partial hearing loss, by providing counseling and mental care to the deaf who are fighting with different mental conditions. However, you must go through special training and education to enter the occupation. This will entail either receiving a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) or Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology degree with a specialization in deaf and hard of hearing.
Once you earn the qualification and required training, you will gain eligibility to obtain a license. Thereafter, you can apply for jobs in hospitals, clinics, and other medical centers, or even start your own practice.
3. Day-care Provider for Children with Hearing Disability
The only skill you must possess to be a deaf children’s daycare provider is empathy and patience, which are more of a quality than skill. It is generally tough for parents to leave their children in day-care centers, and if the child is disabled, the feeling is worse. A regular daycare provider may not be able to meet the developmental needs of deaf children, which worries most parents.
You can become the silver lining in their lives and help children with special needs to cope up with life. Empathy, affection towards children, and understanding nature are qualities that employers look for in candidates. However, this job should be easier for you, as you would have faced similar problems while learning to read, write, and communicate as a child.
4. Event Planner
To organize an event, speaking is not an important skill. Therefore, if you love throwing birthday parties, love planning surprises, weddings, baby showers, get together, and anniversaries, you definitely should try this profession. It will not only give you a sense of purpose but also make you an entrepreneur and boost your confidence.
Communication will not be a hurdle because there are several modern technologies that can be put to use, such as text messenger, emails, and project development software, etc. You can also hire an assistant who can communicate with vendors and clients on your behalf.
Alternatively, you can choose to join an already established event management company and work in one of the departments to earn a living. The opportunities are many for deaf people in this field. You just have to invest time to explore them.
5. Social Media Manager
Digital marketing has risen to newer heights. Therefore, this is an industry where jobs for deaf people are plenty. One of the careers that you can find suitable for your condition is social media management. In here, you will be responsible for planning and managing ongoing social media events and campaigns, and content. You must be creatively skilled, humorous, and have the capability to develop out of the box concepts.
Creating custom graphics, art, videos, images, and ad campaigns for your organization and clients will describe your job profile. Awareness of the current social media trends, leading a team of aspirers, and training them about the industry will also be part of your job. It may sound tough, but social media management is an interesting job that allows you to engage your active four senses.
6. Writer
Creativity and imagination can be communicated via pen and paper, and of course, word document. Therefore, no one can stop you from becoming a writer. We have known many writers who have communicated with their clients and employers via email and messengers for years together without a phone conversation.
An influential approach is all you need to make it to the top. Writers are always on demand, be it copywriters, bloggers, scriptwriters, authors, or technical writers. You may have a unique perspective of the world or about a topic and content world definitely welcomes those who know to put their perspectives clearly, wittily, and politely.
You can find work in digital marketing companies, ad companies, magazines, the press, or you can start your own blog forum.
Did you know famous authors like Donald Harington, Sara Novic, Marlee Matlin were also deaf? Besides, writing offers peace and tranquility and relaxes our mind largely, just like how meditation and yoga do.
7. Web/ Graphic Designer
If you have a keen interest in creating stuff using computer tools, such as animation, designs, layout, etc. and have a creative imagination about colors, color coordination, and art, choose this profession.
Communication is not necessary to prove your talent in this field. Your designs and programming will speak a lot about your skills. You can take up a take a freelance graphic or web designing career and choose to work from home as well. The field pays you excessively well, which gives you a chance to secure your future by doing what you like to do. However, you must gain initial training in visual designing, animation, and programming codes to excel in this career.
If this article helped you to plan your career, do leave a comment below and share your experience.
