Katherine works in human resources with a non-profit in the Fraser Valley. Her job involves a lot of communicating with co-workers and attending meetings, as well as taking meeting minutes.

She has hearing loss and needs to use hearing aids. However, her hearing aids were getting rather old, and she was worried they might break and couldn’t be repaired. Her audiologist referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding. She applied and was quickly approved.

• Read More

Jo-Ann works as a Specialized Education Assistant for a school district on Vancouver Island. She works with students with behavioural issues, helping them learn self regulation tools and life skills while supporting their academics.

“I have significant hearing loss in both ears,” she shares. “To successfully and safely fulfill my job requirements I need to hear conversations in the school yard, participate in class discussions, and be attentive to speech nuances.”

• Read More

Andrew works full-time at a grocery store in Victoria, where his tasks include pulling skids, loading milk trays, stocking fridges, as well as directing other employees. He has post-surgery right arm weakness, as well as right foot drop, making his job difficult at times.

His orthotics provider referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding.

“I received a right foot orthosis, that was much better than my previous one,” he shares.

• Read More

Cass is a professional musician, who recently trained to become a technical animator in the film industry. She is currently looking for work as a technical animator, and she is also doing paid gigs as a musician.

“When the pandemic hit and folks were wearing masks, I realized that I had been relying on my ability to read lips to understand people. I was tested in August of 2023, and diagnosed with genetic hearing loss in the lower-to-mid frequencies. It affects my ability to distinguish speech and pitch,” she shares.

• Read More

Alfred works as a media producer for a supplement company, in charge of all aspects of media production for the company from the concept to filming to post-production. Working with a creative team, as well as liaising with a variety of stakeholders, communication is vital. However, Alfred has sensorineural hearing loss in both ears.

“The hearing loss impacts my ability to communicate with the members of my team,” he shares. “I would often struggle to hear discussions which directly affects my active participation in conversations at the workplace.”

• Read More

David is a teacher on Vancouver Island, and he has hearing loss.

Through WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, he received funding for the hearing aids he needs for work.

“The assistance in buying my new hearing aids is a great gift I received, and I wish to express my gratitude,” he shares.

• Read More

Jim is self-employed, working online and in-person with clients who require mediation, as well as psychological safety training. He has hearing loss.

“When I’m unable to hear my clients clearly it limits my ability to communicate in a role that is based entirely on effective communication,” he says. “If I miss or mishear what is being shared, this can have a serious outcome.”

• Read More

Tracy works as a diagnostic technician at an eye clinic in Salmon Arm. Every day in a fast-paced busy clinic, her job includes performing retinal scans, fundus photography, medical billing, and assisting patients with their ophthalmic concerns.

She has hearing loss, as well as pain in her feet from pes planus (flat feet) and a hallux rigidus (stiff big toe).

“[It] was impacting my everyday work life,” she shares. “I was experiencing foot pain while on my feet all day, also I was facing challenges of hearing patients correctly in such a busy working environment.”

• Read More

Louise works part-time as a manager of an employment services provider, leading a team of 10 staff in in delivering services that support people in becoming employment ready and finding sustainable employment.

“Over the past few years, I have experienced loss of hearing to the point where it was impacting my ability to carry out my job effectively,” she says.

• Read More