Recognizing and Supporting Hidden Sensory Impairments in the Workplace
Occupational health professionals play a critical role in identifying undiagnosed hearing and vision impairments that often go unnoticed, ensuring employees receive timely, specialist support that fosters inclusion, safety, and productivity.
- By Dan Morgan-Williams
- Oct 17, 2025
Occupational health professionals are often the first point of contact for employees experiencing difficulties at work, whether related to physical, mental, or sensory health. While musculoskeletal and mental health issues are commonly addressed, visual and hearing impairments frequently go unnoticed, undiagnosed, or misunderstood. This oversight can result in individuals continuing to struggle unnecessarily, even when the proper support could transform their working lives.
Recognising the Hidden Barriers
Hearing and visual impairments are not always obvious. Many individuals live with undiagnosed or progressive sensory loss. They may appear clumsy, inattentive, or unengaged — when in fact, they’re struggling to see or hear. These challenges can manifest as difficulties with reading screens, following verbal instructions, engaging in meetings, or navigating environments safely. Without the correct support, these issues not only affect productivity but can lead to emotional strain, isolation, and even long-term absence.
When Referrals Go Into the Abyss
We often hear of employees being referred for a bad back or anxiety, but their hearing loss or sight impairment is overlooked. If no action is taken or the referral is sent to a general provider without specialist knowledge, the employee may continue to struggle without appropriate adjustments. This is what we call ‘referrals going into the abyss’. The risk? Delayed support, escalating stress, reduced performance, and preventable disengagement from work.
The Value of Referring to Specialist Providers
Not all assessment providers have the expertise to recognise and address the specific barriers faced by those with visual or hearing impairments. Specialist organisations like Visualise Training and Consultancy combine technical knowledge with lived experience, offering practical, empathetic, and legally sound recommendations. These can include tailored assistive technology, communication strategies, environmental adjustments, and awareness training for colleagues.
What Occupational Health Professionals Can Do
• Ask the right questions: Does the employee mention tiredness from screens, difficulty following conversations, or regular misunderstandings?
• Look beyond the primary concern: Could sensory loss be a contributing factor?
• Refer early and appropriately: Don’t wait for a formal diagnosis to offer support.
• Choose the right provider: Ensure referrals go to specialists who understand the complexities of sensory impairments.
Getting It Right, First Time
As an occupational health professional, your guidance can make the difference between ongoing struggle and sustainable support. Timely, specialist referrals aren’t just best practice — they are transformative. They acknowledge the whole experience of the individual, reduce avoidable risk, and uphold the principles of equity and inclusion in the workplace.
To find out more about how Visualise Training and Consultancy can help you to empower your clients at work, visit https://visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com/workplace-assessments/ or email [email protected]
About the Author
Dan Morgan-Williams is the Founder of Visualise Training and Consultancy Ltd. His motivation to start the business in 2014 arose from his experiences of a lack of accessibility and inclusion within workplaces and broader society. This affects people with sight loss, hearing loss, tinnitus and those who are deaf.