It would depend on lots of things, type of hearing loss, frequency
levels, type of hearing aid, I would recommend that an audiologist is
involved in assessing the person's hearing aid equipment initially, it
may be that digital aids will dampen the background sound sufficiently.
The aim of digital aids, or at least some of the more sophisticated
ones, is to amplify identifiable speech sounds whilst 'turning down'
sounds which are not speech in the environment.
Good luck with it
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: David Sloan [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 March 2004 12:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Deaf Graduate Vs Working in labs
Hi there folks,
I have recently been made aware of an issue that a graduate who is deaf
and hard of hearing is experiencing. Having completed a Degree and
Masters, the person was employed in a hospital lab. The equipment being
used to carry out vital aspects of the blood & urine tests was being
amplified by the hearing aid. The person switched off their hearing aid
and received work instructions from the Supervisor in another room where
the noise levels were minimal. Psychologically, the person reached their
peak, handed in notice and left work. Now the person is employed in
another similar lab set-up and the same scenario is re-occurring. It is
at this stage that the parent has contacted me.
I have been on a few American web pages and read information about
advanced technology to minimise the noise from equipment used in labs.
Is there any advice anyone can give me about available technologies
within the UK? My thinking is that the employer could use Access-to-Work
to support with the costs of paying for this.
Any insights to this would be greatly appreciated. My email address is
listed below if people wish to come back to me individually.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
David Sloan
Specialist Disability Adviser (Employment)
Let's Work? Project
Disability Services
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast
BT7 1NN
Tel: 028 90973225
Fax: 028 90975378
[log in to unmask]
www.qub.ac.uk/disability
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