This short film follows one person who has kept their hearing loss to themselves at work, and the supportive response they receive when they finally tell a colleague.
Transcript
I nod along in every meeting. I laugh when everyone else laughs. On the phone I write every number down in capitals, and hope I got it right. By the evening I am exhausted. Listening takes everything I have.
I have not told anyone. If I say I cannot hear, will they think I cannot do my job? I have bills, I have a family.
Then a colleague said, “You seem quiet in meetings. Are you alright?” And somehow it came out. I told her I have hearing loss. She did not look shocked. She said, “Thank you for telling me. What would help?”
My manager arranged a workplace assessment. They looked at my calls, the meeting rooms, the noise and what I had already tried. A headset that works with my hearing aids, captions in meetings, better seating, and my team learned what helps.
Now I follow the conversation. I join in properly. I am still me, just not guessing any more. If this is you, you do not have to nod along.
A workplace assessment looks at calls, meeting rooms, noise and what has already been tried, so that the right support can be put in place for the individual. If you or someone in your team is deaf or has hearing loss and would like expert, tailored support to stay productive and comfortable at work, visit https://visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com/workplace-assessments/hearing-loss-workplace-assessment/ to arrange a hearing loss workplace assessment.