Investigation of employee satisfaction and related factors in young adults with hearing impairments

Abstract

　An internet survey was conducted of company employees with hearing impairment aged 35 years or younger, with the objective of examining factors associated with work satisfaction in young people with hearing impairment.
　The hearing level was 100dB or more in 67% of the respondents, and the last school attended was a university or graduate school in the majority (60%). Of all the respondents, 74% were regular employees. Although 92% of the respondents understood the sign language, the auditory oral approach was primarily used for communication at the workplace. Information and communication support was mostly provided by means of printed materials and writing, and rarely using sign language. In regard to work satisfaction, 60% of the respondents indicated being “generally satisfied.” A factor analysis of the responses revealed that the work satisfaction consisted of three factors: a sense of belonging to the company, professional fulfillment, and supportive relationships. In addition, the age and hearing level were also identified as relevant factors.
　The survey revealed that the majority of young people with hearing impairment tended to have a high level of work satisfaction, despite insufficient information and communication support. The results suggest the need for establishment of long-term support to ensure job permanence for hearing-impaired employees, by focusing on their sense of belonging to the company and professional fulfillment.