Posts Tagged ‘Hearing Aids’

“I Am More Comfortable and Confident I Can Continue to Work”

A teacher uses a tablet as she lectures to a class of adults.

After a 30-year career in education, Michelle had retired, but when the perfect part-time opportunity came up a year later, she jumped for it. Now, she teaches in-person workshops and works one-on-one with clients. However, when she started the new job, she found she was having a bit of difficulty.

“I have a hearing impairment,” she says. “I took the job, but was having difficulty with the situations in settings with small or larger groups with my hearing.”

After having her hearing tested, she was referred to an audiologist for hearing aids. When she explained that the cost was prohibitive, her audiologist told her about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, and how it could help fund her hearing aids that she needed for work. She applied to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services and was quickly approved.

WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps Loretta Keep Doing a Job She Loves

WorkBC Assistive Technology Services participant Loretta.

Loretta has been working in the film industry in the Lower Mainland as a driver for nearly two years. With a vibrant personality and a friendly attitude, she drives cast and crew to and from set.

She also has hearing loss, which caused some difficulties at work. When driving cast members, she couldn’t tell when they were simply practicing their lines or if they were talking to her. She had bought hearing aids over a decade ago, but they had long since broken and she couldn’t afford new ones.

“They need people who are approachable, who people are going to be comfortable with, and I had all those qualities. I just felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed because of my hearing,” she explains. “I just did not want to do that anymore.”

“I Have Regained Confidence With My Job”

A person tearing a sticky note from a pad on their desk.

Margot’s job sees her wearing many hats — from working reception to doing bookkeeping to handling secretarial duties. She has total hearing loss in her left ear, and decreased hearing in her right.

“[I have an] inability to hear or comprehend words when the speaker is on my left side, hence, decreased understanding of what needs to be done,” she explains.

“I Can Hear Clearer Than Before,” New Hearing Aids Set Liu on the Path to Employment

A woman writing on a notepad while using a laptop.

With new hearing aids, Liu feels more confident about her job search than ever before.

A participant of WorkBC Employment Services, Liu has severe hearing loss. Her WorkBC Centre referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding for new hearing aids.

Liu applied to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services and was quickly approved, receiving her much-needed hearing aids.

WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps Deborah Get the Hearing Aids She Needs

A woman using a laptop.

Deborah needed hearing aids for work, but couldn’t afford them. Her audiologist referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding.

She applied and was quickly approved, covering a good portion of the costs, allowing her to get the much-needed hearing aids.

“I hear better and because of their financial support, I was able to get the hearing aids. If I would have had to buy them on my own, I would not have gotten them,” she says.

New Hearing Aids Open New Possibilities for Emory

A teacher standing in front of a chalkboard holding a book.

Emory is a teacher on call working in Terrace. He has moderate hearing loss.

Through WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, Emory was able to receive funding for a new pair of Phonak hearing aids that he needed for his job as a teacher.

“The hearing aids help me in my classroom teaching,” he says. “Communication is essential both in noisy and quiet environments, and the hearing aids are crucial for me. I also use them to connect to devices when using Zoom calls, for remote work.

“I Am Able to Do My Job More Confidently,” WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps Katrina at Work

Katrina's new hearing aids in the palm of her hand.

Katrina is a senior quality control lab analyst. Her team does chemical testing on products — for example, a vitamin tablet — to make sure the products are the same as advertised.

She is hard of hearing and has worn hearing aids since 1993.

“My hearing aid program sometimes fluctuates over time, or the hearing aid itself deteriorates after a few years of use,” she explains. “It impacts me in my employment, because in team meetings in a big room, I struggle to comprehend people. I can hear their voices, but most of the time I could not comprehend what they have been saying.”

“Work Is Much More Efficient,” Hearing Aids Help Leia on the Job

A professional writing a note as she speaks to a client.

Leia does outreach work in the mental health and substance use field in Victoria.

“I have congenital hearing loss,” she shares. “This means my ability to listen to my clients and also to gauge my own level of safety before getting closer to clients was severely compromised.”

Through WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, Leia was able to receive funding for hearing aids, which have greatly improved her ability to do her job.

New Hearing Aids Help Steve Help His Clients

A professional looking over a checklist with depression and anxiety symptoms.

Steve is a community support worker who works with children with behavioural issues in 100 Mile House.

“My hearing ability is severely compromised,” he shares. “During our counseling sessions, it is imperative that I am able to listen and hear all of the sensitive disclosures and other thoughts that they may want to share. Building a successful rapport is key to our trust based working relationship.”

Kim Builds Her Self-Employment Opportunities With the Help of WorkBC Assistive Technology Services

A caregiver holding a senior's hand, who is gripping a stress reliever ball.

Kim is a self-employed healthcare community support worker in Kelowna. Her duties include assisting her clients in daily tasks, supporting their emotional wellbeing, attending doctors appointments with clients, and providing support on recreational outings.

She was born with hearing loss in both ears.

“This has affected my ability in reaching out to potential new clients and businesses,” she explains.

Neil Squire Society logo
Solutions logo
400 – 3999 Henning Drive
Burnaby, BC V5C 6P9
604 473 9360 | 1 877 673 4636
solutions@neilsquire.ca
Refer today

 

Hearing Solutions logo
400 – 3999 Henning Drive
Burnaby, BC V5C 6P9
778 945 1215
hearingsolutions@neilsquire.ca
Refer today