Yong Dan works as a Store Associate for a retail store. Her duties include greeting customers, working the cash register, restocking and organizing merchandise, and resolving customer complaints. She has hearing loss.

Through WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, she was able to receive funding for a new set of hearing aids.

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Anthony works for a non-profit that provides housing and shelter for people in need. At the building he works at, his many duties include helping clients with their daily tasks, security, dealing with conflicts, as well as answering phones. He has hearing loss, which can make it difficult to hear conversations.

For his hearing loss, he had hearing aids, however, they no longer worked as well as he needed them to. His audiologist referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for help purchasing new ones.

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Joanne is employed by a regional health authority, performing clerical and timekeeping processes. Her job involves working with many different departments.

“Over the last year, I developed a gradual hearing loss in both ears,” she shares. “This became noticeable when I had to ask colleagues to repeat themselves or I unintentionally didn’t respond to them. This affects communication and understanding as one of my duties is to interact with colleagues and employees and participate in meetings.”

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Mandy is self-employed, owning a residential duct cleaning business with her husband. She has hearing loss, and her audiologist referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services.

“I received funding towards [the] cost of hearing aids,” she shares.

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Jamie works in administration for a company, handling duties in finance and human resources. She has profound hearing loss.

“[I have] constant anxiety going into meetings, if my phone rings, if someone comes to ask a question or talk to me,” she shares. “[I have] headaches, fatigue. I miss instructions on work projects and often have to ask for clarification. This causes delays in my work, and anxiety and embarrassment. I miss things in meetings and have to ask later.”

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Eliana works as a lead drafter for a construction firm in the Lower Mainland. Her job involves working with drafting software, as well as managing her team and communicating with the fabrication department.

“I was born with hearing loss in both ears and since the age of five, I wore hearing aids. Without the right hearing aids, I would not be able to hear and understand other people’s speech,” she shares. “Right now, I am gaining more responsibilities at work. I [was] in need of brand new hearing aids that enable me to hear properly during meetings, one to one conversation, and making phone calls.”

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Nand works full-time as a janitor. He has hearing loss, which can make it difficult to communicate with his co-workers. His audiologist referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding for hearing aids.

“[Assistive Technology Services] helped me pay for hearing aids, which helps me keep my job,” he says.

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Kaeli works at a dog daycare, and she is also self-employed as a dog trainer. However, she has had hyperacusis — sensitivity to sound — all her life, as well as ADHD.

“I struggle to focus in busy environments at the best of times, and it was almost impossible for me to think clearly and maintain my composure in a noisy workplace with dogs barking all the time, not to mention my struggle hearing and communicating with my coworkers,” she explains. “By the end of a shift in that noise, I was exhausted — I was only able to work three days a week due to the fatigue.”

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Paula is a homeshare provider, providing support for two adults with disabilities who live with her. Her duties include providing a safe and comfortable home environment, preparing meals, and taking the people she supports to medical appointments.

“I have a hearing impairment that was getting in the way of hearing the people I care for in my home, and also in interactions with medical professionals, day program staff, family, and other individuals and groups involved in their lives,” she explains.

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John is a small business owner, running a local retail store in Vancouver. As the sole employee, he manages all aspects of the business, including opening and closing the store, engaging with customers, and performing administrative and financial tasks.

“I have a moderate to severe hearing impairment that has progressively worsened over the years,” he shares. “This difficulty in hearing has hindered my ability to serve my customers effectively, which had a negative impact on my business. At times, my hearing impairment has also caused frustration and anxiety when interacting with customers.”

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