“I Was Finally Able to Access Technology That Helps Me Hear Better”
Thanks to funding from WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, Rhonda, a teacher, was able to get her first set of hearing aids.
“After 46 years of living with hearing loss, I was finally able to access technology that helps me hear better. I have heard things I never knew made noise! It is quite shocking to me to realize how deaf I am. I thought I had relatively minor hearing loss, but with the help of the Assistive Technology Services program, I realized that I was putting significant time and energy to struggle to hear daily,” she shares.
“Life at Work is Finally Not Frustrating”
Bernard is a housekeeper in Whistler, and he has hearing loss. Through WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, he received funding for hearing aids that help him on the job.
“Assistive Technology Services has changed my life in a way that it was able to provide me financial support so I could get hearing aids that I couldn’t afford, as it was very expensive,” he shares.
Nancy More Confident at Work Thanks to New Hearing Aids
Nancy works in accounting, and found she was having difficulties communicating at work due to hearing loss.
“I have problems hearing clearly what people say, which in turn affected my communication, as I can hear things wrong. It is critical that I get the correct information, especially as I am dealing with numbers and deadlines,” she shares, noting that she didn’t feel as involved in team meetings.
WorkBC Assistive Technology Services “Has Changed My Life”
Alejandro works multiple jobs. He sells countertops as an account manager, works in the cleaning business in the evenings, and he works on-call as a waiter and bartender. However, he was recently diagnosed with otosclerosis, causing severe to profound hearing loss in both ears, making it difficult to communicate with customers and co-workers.
“[It] has impacted my life tremendously, I was having panic attacks, frustration and anxiety every time a client will make an appointment or walk into our office, as well as when my co-workers needed to speak to me,” he shares.
WorkBC Assistive Technology Services In the Spotlight
As part of National AccessAbility Week, WorkBC Assistive Technology Services was featured in the most recent edition of WorkBC’s “In the Spotlight” feature.
You can also read an article by WorkBC on National AccessAbility Week and WorkBC Assistive Technology Services.
“I Honestly Feel Like It’s Been Life Changing,” New Hearing Aids Make a Big Difference at Work for Katherine
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.
Jo-Ann Performs Better at Work With New Hearing Aids
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.”
New Orthotics Help Andrew Feel Much Less Pain at Work
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.
40 Years of Impact: Come Celebrate With Us This June
We are thrilled to announce that our organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary this coming June.
Four decades of technology, knowledge, and passion. From humble beginnings to impactful programs, we’ve come a long way, thanks to your unwavering support.
Please join us in commemorating this milestone throughout the month of June by celebrating with us at one of our free regional events across Canada taking place in Burnaby, Regina, Ottawa, Fredericton, and Calgary. Details are below for each event.
New Hearing Aids Puts Cass on the Right Path in Her Job Search
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.