Alan has worked as a rehabilitation assistant on Vancouver Island for about 26 years. He works in a busy, seniors-oriented physiotherapy clinic, and his job also involves making connections and arranging events for his clients in the local community. However, tinnitus has made his job more difficult.
“Like my mother, I have tinnitus which has been slowly getting louder over the last thirty-five years until the sounds I hear in my head rival the volume of most of the conversations I have. The nature of the condition creates ‘holes’ in my soundscape as I cannot hear particular frequencies which interferes with my ability to understand some aspects of the spoken word,” he shares. “These missing frequencies cause my brain to ‘English to English’ translate as I sort out similar words and their context in the conversation — bread, Fred, shred, bed, etc. I was often several seconds behind the conversation as I translated on the fly.”
His local hearing clinic referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help funding the hearing aids he needs on the job. “I began with a hearing evaluation and received support to complete the paperwork necessary to apply for funding through WorkBC [Assistive Technology Services],” he explains. “I received a pair of AI-powered, Bluetooth enabled, rechargeable, behind the ear hearing aids. They were set to compensate for the frequencies I was missing.”
Alan has noticed a big difference at work. “I find conversations much less mentally fatiguing since getting my hearing aids. I no longer have to feel bad asking people two or three times to repeat themselves and meetings with my other team members are very easy to follow now as well,” he says.
“As much of my job involves speaking directly to others who frequently have their own hearing impairments, the conversations flow much more naturally than they did previously. I am much more likely to be involved in meetings with co-workers and clients as I can hear ALL of the conversation, not just portions with holes here and there that my brain tried to fill in.”
When asked if he’d recommend WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, Alan was clear. “Absolutely! Do it now, do not hesitate. You will not know what you are missing until you do,” he says.
“Apart from personally thanking all of the people involved for their kindness and support through the process, I can’t think of anything else other than to say it’s true what they say… not all superheroes wear capes!”
WorkBC Assistive Technology Services is operated by Neil Squire. Assistive Technology Services are available to individuals who have a work-related barrier due to a disability or a functional limitation. This may include barriers related to traveling to and from the workplace.
Questions about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services? Need help applying? Contact us: 1-844-453-5506 or info-ats@workbc.ca
Please visit www.workbc-ats.ca (new window) for more information about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services.
