Rick works in retail, which requires him to communicate with customers both in-person and over the phone. As part of his work, he also leads seminars for eight to 10 people at a time, often in a noisy workshop environment. He has mild to moderate hearing loss.
“[It] sometimes makes communicating a challenge, especially when I can’t see the speaker,” he shares. “It poses a workplace hazard when I can’t clearly hear the machinery or people’s voices in the workshop.”
His audiologist referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help getting the hearing aids he needs for work. “First of all, the program focused my thinking on what my hearing needs are, and how they affect my work life,” he says. “Ultimately, I received a pair of digital hearing aids that improve the clarity of speech, especially in a noisy setting.”
He has noticed a big difference on the job. “Hearing during conversations is quite improved, especially when the room is full of talking people. The risk of missing something in the workshop is reduced,” he explains, crediting the new hearing aids with giving him a “greater sense of security and confidence” at work.
Rick “absolutely” recommends WorkBC Assistive Technology Services to others, particularly praising the service he received.
“I would like to thank Michelle Cooper, Valerie Baker, and the ATS [team at the] Neil Squire Society for their invaluable assistance to make my better hearing a reality.”
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.
