Sam Can Afford Hearing Aids Thanks to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services
Sam is a self-employed tree fruit orchard producer in Kelowna, growing apples and pears on a small orchard. He has hearing loss.
“I believe this started sometime after a left a career in the local saw-milling business. I started noticing difficulty in deciphering audio from one ear and later on from both,” he shares, noting that his hearing loss made it difficult to communicate with his workers, as well as colleagues at crowded conferences that he attends for work.
WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps Ryan Get His First Set of Hearing Aids
Ryan has worked as a letter carrier for over 20 years, serving the community of Oak Bay.
“I enjoy working outdoors and being a part of the community,” he shares. “I have moderate bilateral hearing loss. It impacts my interactions with customers on my route, and prevents me from hearing approaching vehicles (especially electric ones).”
Linda’s New Hearing Aids Help Her in the Classroom
Linda works as a Certified Education Assistant in the Okanagan, helping students who need more support in the classroom.
She has hearing loss, which impacts her ability to hear instructions from the classroom teacher — she often has to check back with the teacher to confirm instructions. Since many of the children she works with speak quietly, she also has to lean closer to hear the students.
Maria’s New Hearing Aids are “Incredibly Helpful” on the Job
Maria is a family court support worker. Her duties include intakes, referrals, providing emotional support, and accompanying clients during court hearings and meetings.
She has hearing loss, which makes it hard to hear in public spaces and during court hearings and meetings. In particular, she was having trouble hearing her clients when they need to speak quietly.
Chessa’s New Hearing Aids Are a “Blessing”
Chessa works as a Health Care Assistant, providing home and community care for seniors.
She has Central Auditory Processing Disorder, which leads to misunderstanding and mishearing of conversations. She finds loud voices and quick speech difficult to hear, and can find directions difficult to follow.
Through WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, she received hearing aids, which have made a big difference in her workday.
“This Program Was a Blessing,” WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps Jo-Anne Get Hearing Aids
Jo-Anne works as the head merchandiser at a pharmacy in Invermere, and she helps out on the till when needed. In May, she had an illness which affected her hearing, something she is still recovering from.
“Because of the nerve damage, [problems with] balance, and hearing loss of my right ear, it has made my job difficult,” she shares.
“It’s Less Stress and More Joy to Work and Communicate”
Mathilda works as a bookkeeper for a safety training company in northern BC. She has hearing loss.
“I do a lot of phone calls because of my work, and it was difficult to communicate, hear, and understand what people were saying,” she explains.
A friend referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help obtaining hearing aids. Mathilda applied, and was quickly approved for funding, getting the hearing aids she needs for work.
Gregory Stays Safe at Work With New Hearing Aids
Gregory works full-time as a truck driver.
“I had almost no hearing in one ear, and limited hearing in my other, which made it difficult for my work, as well as safety,” he shares. “I need to hear my dispatch throughout the day, and what each mill I go into tells me where to go, and what is going on.”
His hearing aid practitioner referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding for the hearing aids he needed for work.
WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps Leanne Work Longer Hours With Less Pain
Leanne works as a manager at a bookstore in the BC Interior. Her job involves taking care of the organization and upkeep of the store, customer service and sales, as well as stocking books.
“I have chronic pain, especially back pain, which makes it difficult for me to be on my feet for long periods, perform repetitive tasks, and bend and lift,” she shares.
“I Am Much Less Stressed and Fatigued”
Linda develops and teaches a variety of personal development workshops for a retreat on the Gulf Islands.
“[I have a] hearing impairment, making it stressful and potentially reducing my effectiveness,” she shares. “My work includes working with intense emotions, and when people are emotional it is even more challenging to hear clearly what they are saying, and vital that I understand what they are saying.”