Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Doris-Eva Bamiou, University College London, UK
- Second opponent: Associate Professor Frederik Kragerud Goplen, University of Bergen,
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor II Harriet Akre, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Associate Professor Louise Emilsson, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Senior Consultant Lisa Aarhus, The National Institute of Occupational Health in Norway
Summary
People with hearing loss who are in employment may experience challenges, such as difficulties with verbal communication and high levels of fatigue after work. Since hearing loss presents challenges at work, it is important to raise awareness and put emphasis on support.
The aim of this PhD project was to examine the relationship between hearing loss and work participation by studying several factors, including employment, sick leave, disability pension, and income. Previous research has largely been based on cross-sectional studies. This study used data from a large Health Study in Trøndelag (HUNT) and Statistics Norway (SSB). By using data from both HUNT2 (1996-1998) and HUNT4 (2017-2019), it was possible to use a study design with longitudinal follow-up of each participant.
The study showed a nationally weighted prevalence of hearing loss among employed persons of 5.8%. Hearing loss was associated with marked higher odds of non-employment, more strongly in 1998 (odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1-2.4) than in 2018 (OR 1.9, CI 1.7-2.1).
A weak association between hearing loss and sick leave (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.2 (95 (CI) 1.1-1.3)) and a somewhat stronger association between hearing loss and disability pension (HR 1.5 (95% CI 1.3-1.8)) was found. For both outcomes, the association was stronger for individuals with both hearing loss and tinnitus.
People with hearing loss had a lower annual income increase compared to those with normal hearing. Over a 20-year period, the annual earnings of those with normal hearing increased by 453 Euro (EUR) (95% Confidence interval (CI) 384 – 522) or 13.2% more per year than for people with hearing loss. For both disability pension and annual income, the association was stronger among younger than older adults.
Over the coming decades, as the aging population is increasing, it is expected that the number of people with hearing loss will increase. Knowledge about hearing loss in the workplace provides important information to employers and public decision-makers regarding the planning of support for hearing-impaired individuals at work.
Additional information
Contact the research support staff.