Mary has her own business, organizing and decorating homes on a contract basis. She has significant hearing loss.

“This hearing loss impeded my ability to deal with potential clients, clients, and coworkers. I was unable to hear anyone who wasn’t directly facing me,” she shares.

Her audiologist referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding for a set of hearing aids.

“The program helped me in so many ways. I had no idea just how much I was missing. I go days without saying, ‘Can you repeat that?’ or ‘I can’t hear you unless you are in front of me.’ I received a set of hearing aids which I wear religiously,” she says.

While she initially was reluctant to wear hearing aids, she’s found they’ve made a big difference on the job and is now “so glad” she has them.

“Work is completely different. I can hear almost everything said to me,” she says. “I am able to answer someone with their back to me. That hasn’t happened in years.

“My employment has become much more enjoyable. I am usually the one in charge, so it was paramount that I was able to communicate effectively.”

Mary commends the service she received from WorkBC Assistive Technology Services.

“I am forever grateful,” she says. “I would definitely recommend the Assistive Technology Services program to others. Everyone that I dealt with from the testing people to the wonderful supportive people from the program made things so much easier.”

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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 for more information about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services.

Tags: assistive technology, BC, Hearing Aids, WorkBC Assistive Technology Services