Hard of Hearing Disability

dosh1

I wonder if anyone can advise?

I currently work in an office in a fairly senior position. My hearing has gradually deteriorated over years and have challenges in hearing people and more specifically using the telephone. I wear hearing aids but this in itself will never solve the problem but help. My issue is clarity rather than volume.

I can see that in the forthcoming years (as my hearing deteriorates further) I can see that work will become a problem and result in me being unable to work. Let's face it how many employees want someone who cannot use the telephone. I am very capable of my job otherwise (even though I say it myself) but do have challenges to overcome daily.

Does anyone know whether as a result of my disability and not being able to work and earn enough money to pay mortgage and bills, there are benefits available to me (money-wise). I concerns me greatly that I may find myself in the position where I cannot work and also cannot survive with my outgoings.

I haven't spoken to anyone about this yet but wondered if you might be able to advise?

Thank you.

Indie_Kid

PIP is based on whether you have care and /or mobility needs. ESA is based on whether you can do any work. If on ESA, you may get help with the mortgage interest and council tax.

SailorSam

I have to wear an hearing aid, it's a pain isn't it to keep asking people to repeat things, not to mention embarrassing.
I'm having trouble with my eyes, i have double vision and i know i looked into whether i'd be entitled to extra benefits for that, and was told not unless i was declared visually impaired which seems unlikely. So i imagine it's somewhat the same with hearing and you'd be lucky to get any extra.

McKneff

There are thousands of jobs being done out there that don't rely on people being able to hear. #

nannytone_2

dosh1 wrote: »

I wonder if anyone can advise?

I currently work in an office in a fairly senior position. My hearing has gradually deteriorated over years and have challenges in hearing people and more specifically using the telephone. I wear hearing aids but this in itself will never solve the problem but help. My issue is clarity rather than volume.

I can see that in the forthcoming years (as my hearing deteriorates further) I can see that work will become a problem and result in me being unable to work. Let's face it how many employees want someone who cannot use the telephone. I am very capable of my job otherwise (even though I say it myself) but do have challenges to overcome daily.

Does anyone know whether as a result of my disability and not being able to work and earn enough money to pay mortgage and bills, there are benefits available to me (money-wise). I concerns me greatly that I may find myself in the position where I cannot work and also cannot survive with my outgoings.

I haven't spoken to anyone about this yet but wondered if you might be able to advise?

Thank you.

legallt tiyr employer has to make reasonable adjustments to allow you to continue working, also access to work may be some help , even to the point where a PA will be funded to enable you to carry on working

Indie_Kid

SailorSam wrote: »

I'm having trouble with my eyes, i have double vision and i know i looked into whether i'd be entitled to extra benefits for that, and was told not unless i was declared visually impaired which seems unlikely. So i imagine it's somewhat the same with hearing and you'd be lucky to get any extra.

It doesn't matter what your visual problems are. It depends on whether you have care and /or mobility needs or whether you fit the criteria for ESA.

Tigsteroonie

nannytone wrote: »

legallt tiyr employer has to make reasonable adjustments to allow you to continue working, also access to work may be some help , even to the point where a PA will be funded to enable you to carry on working

^^ This. Have you asked your employer about making adjustments to your work? I can imagine teams in my office (a shared service centre) where use of the telephone could be avoided, there are alternative forms of communication such as email & IM.

Indie_Kid

There is also Access to Work - https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

Nada666

There are lots of disabilities and impairments which are ignored. Even those crying 'benefits bashing' will themselves hypocritically turn on some enquirers.

Repeatedly explaining to a benefits advisor why you cannot apply to work in a kitchen or as a cleaner with impaired smell (and consequently taste) is a non-trivial chore. And receiving additional remuneration is a non-starter despite the fact you have more genuine expenses than many disabilities that do qualify for additions.

rosiepup2000

When I was losing my hearing I managed for a while with a phone with an amplifier, although this only helped me to some extent (as you say, it's clarity rather than volume that counts). My present employers used the Access to Work scheme to buy an amplified phone and also a neckloop system to help me - as previously stated, your employers have to make reasonable adjustments to help you.


My hearing continued to deteriorate to the point where I couldn't use the phone at all, in fact I couldn't hold a face-to-face conversation without extreme difficulty, even with high power hearing aids. I then had a cochlear implant, which has transformed my life, and I am still working and can use the phone much more easily than before. I had many of the same fears as you about how I would carry on working as my hearing worsened. Implants don't work for everyone, but you might want to consider it as a possibility if your hearing does get worse.


Good luck :-)

dosh1

Indie_Kid wrote: »

PIP is based on whether you have care and /or mobility needs. ESA is based on whether you can do any work. If on ESA, you may get help with the mortgage interest and council tax.

Thanks for your response. I shall look into the ESA option.