Help for hearing loss and work

JTG1959

Hi.

I work in mental health crisis - I support people who are suicidal essentially both in person and over the phone.  For the past year I have begun to lose my hearing.  I have been assessed and need hearing aids in both ears.  The NHS ones do not work, have tried.  I was advised to apply for an Access to work grant, and a check of my work situation.  They say they cannot help with hearing aids and to try NHS ones.  Its a cycle.  My job is hearing dependent.  I cannot afford the £2700 that the ones that work cost, even with an interest free loan, I couldnt make the monthly payments.

I am worried about managing to keep my job and do not know what to do.  Any ideas??

John

Savvy_Sue

In what way do the NHS ones not work? How long did you try them for, did you go back to Audiology and describe your problems? Was a phone with a T setting supplied, and its use explained?

Does the service in which you work have any plans to introduce a text or email option? (I know Samaritans have this.)

Would text relay be an option?

I do sympathise, but it can be a struggle to get the best out of NHS aids if the defaults are inadequate.

One final question: is your loss bad enough to make you eligible for a cochlear implant?

JTG1959

The NHS ones I had for a while, they just made the sounds I can hear louder but the sounds I cant hear didnt change.  The audiologist said they would not work and said I needed directional ones.  My work is both face to face as well as on phone.  My work will consider adapting the phone to help but I need to be able to hear face to face as well.  In addition I travel between sites so I'd need special phones at every site I cover.

No text or email.  We deal with extreme crisis only and are the bridge before sectioning or suicide.  What I do its vital to hear.  

My hearing loss is deteriorating but not yet bad enough for implants.

Thank you

John

Savvy_Sue

I'm quite surprised NHS isn't offering directional aids - I'm sure that's been a setting on mine since the start, although I don't particularly notice the difference between settings, except the loop!

The phones aren't expensive - at least non digital never were.

If you've lost particular frequencies then it may well not be possible to restore them.

Sncjw

Hearing aids amplify the sounds that you can hear. They should be adjusted so the quieter sounds are better. However i have cochlear implant and depsite getting high marks on listening test and the hearing test shows in reasonable range I still struggle alot with conversations. 


What range is your latest audiogram. 

I work in a sounds based job as a receptionist but I have slowly developed confidence to help others and I have supportive workmates who help me if needed. Also my main role isn't really customer facing but I do help out at times. Your workplace should make reasonable adjustments if they can. 

cannugec5

I have hearing loss, and worked for the NHS prior to retirement. I was offered microphones in addition to my hearing aids. They were described as looking like a pen, placed on the table to amplify the other persons speech. 

To be honest I never took this up as I didn’t need it, but it sounds like it might be appropriate in your case?
there are a variety of options available with in the  NHS before you start buying your own equipment. 

[Deleted User]

I reckon that you ought to persue the ATW option :

"An Access to Work grant could help pay for any assistive devices or communication support you need at work.If you are disabled or have a health condition that makes it hard for you to do your job, your employer must make changes (called reasonable adjustments) to support you. They must make sure you are not substantially disadvantaged when doing your job."

And a hearing aid is DEFINITELY  an assistuve device and you are at a substantial disadvantage when doing your job

Why don't you ask RNID for help/advice ?

Who told you that ATW could not help ? ATW or Employer ?

https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/benefits/access-to-work/

Demerara

Hi @JTG1959

It's been a while since your original post and I was wondering how you're doing? Just in case ... thought I'd share my experience in the event it can be of help.

It is extremely stressful ... I have been where you are and going through a similar cycle now.

Regarding NHS hearing aids, the aids are only as good as the audiologist fitting them. Sometimes, it is about "hassling" them and returning as many times as needed so you get the adjustments you need.

As someone mentioned earlier, there are further assistive devices that can support you hear better. For example, the microphones that can be plugged into the telephone and they then stream the sound directly to your hearing aids. These have been a lifesaver for me throughout the pandemic or I wouldn't have been able to work. You will need to do some research depending on the brand of hearing aids you have but some of these devices are universal though you will need an adapter, for example, Phonak Roger.

I did manage to get hearing aids once through ATW. At the time, there were limited options for my level of hearing loss . You do have to demonstrate to ATW though that NHS hearing aids cannot meet the demands of daily work (I am in a similar line of work if you will). For example, a letter by an ENT consultant. ATW will also ask you to pay for part of the costs towards the hearing aids because admittedly, you will use them outside of work too!