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Women with hearing loss better workers

ABU DHABI — A high percentage of employees with impaired hearing very well comply with instructions and systems at workplace, according to a study conducted on those suffering from hearing loss.

“The vocational assessment showed that a 4.51 per cent of employees who have impaired hearing or are hard of hearing act in conformity with instructions and orders given to them in their workplace,” said Rawhi Obeidat, a psychologist who supervised the study.

According to the study, in terms of experience male employees scored over their female counterparts. However, women were found to be more efficient than men.

“The findings defy the common thinking that people with hearing disability should be restricted to certain professions and that data entering was the most suitable job for them,” said the expert.

The evaluation study, which covered the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, was carried out by the Organising Committee for the Arab Deaf Awareness 32^nd Week, that was launched on April 21.

As many as 75 people with impaired hearing occupying various posts in both the public and private sectors were covered by the study. In terms of occupational performance, employees with hearing loss scored 4.44 per cent while communication skills was rated at 3.48 per cent, thus reflecting the difficulties people with hearing imapirment encounter in interacting with colleagues and the public in workplace,” said Mr Obeidat.

He pointed out that 3.86 per cent of those suryeved adapted to their work environment and some of them were even occupying leading positions.

The expert recommended that training and rehabilitation programmes for people with hearing loss should match with demands of the local market. “Capabilities of such people must be upgraded on a regular basis so that they are able to compete with normal employees,” Obeidat demanded.

• UAE