Dear all

 

I have an employee who suffers from single sided deafness (right) following removal of a brain tumour 16 years ago.

 

She has had an implant which has helped a great deal but unfortunately she struggles with determining in which direction noise is coming from.  She works in an open plan office. (And does not want to feel isolated working in an office with less people).

 

Does any one know if there are any electrical devices that can help her to differentiate the direction of where the noise is coming from?

 

Is anyone aware of a network for people with similar problems so she can discuss practical issues e.g. where best to position herself in meetings. 

 

Although she has suffered from this condition now for many years she is conscious of the fact that she still struggles to accept that she will never regain her full hearing. Has anyone any advice on coping techniques? (I do plan to talk to our staff counsellor re this)

 

At the moment there is a screen in place on her right side to prevent people coming to talk to her on her right side, I have proposed that she changes her desk to one with a curve to the right so she is working to the left hand side of her desk (this will make people walk around to her left side to speak to her instead of leaning over the screen)

 

If anyone has contact numbers for services that could help it would be much appreciated.

 

Pat