1. < Hearing Loss

Hearing loss and career

Posted by ozlin423 @ozlin423, Jul 13, 2020

Hello, my hearing loss has worsened over the past years. My job is basically customer service. I have not been able to answer phones for a few years. Thankfully my team covers me on that. But since covid and mandatory masks my job is a nightmare. I recently stepped out of my position as department lead as I can not give it 100%. I explained the situation to my boss who offered to put me on nights. My problem has been my new lead, doesn't keep to that schedule. I have thought of just quitting but I am 2 years til retirement and have a pension. Are there laws that would help? Does my company owe me special consideration? I am at a loss as to what to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

barbb | @barbb | Jul 31, 2020

The last sentence I wrote here was supposed to read "As an essential worker..." I have been involved with advocacy for those with hearing loss in medical settings and so I wonder what kind of accommodation did you request?

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joyces | @joyces | Jul 31, 2020
In reply to @barbb "Hi Daisy, What is L & D? If your hearing is not more than moderate, have..." + (show)
@barbb

Hi Daisy, What is L & D? If your hearing is not more than moderate, have you considered Costco with its lower prices? Regarding funding this website gives you contact information and more for your vocational Rehab office: https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/financial-assistance/state-agenices/ Let us know what happens in your search. A an essential worker I wonder if you have easier access to help.

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Do not overlook Costco, where aids are roughly half the cost they'd be elsewhere. In addition, all adjustment visits are FREE, and any modifications, like better ear pieces, are free, at least within the two-year total warranty period. Their aids have different names, but you can ask the fitter there what they really are. For example, my Bernefon aid is actually an Oticon; Bernefon is the private label name at Costco.

Don't think that you'll be "cheaping out" because some Costco fitters (who are NOT generally audiologists) are extremely well-informed and will work very hard to maximize what you can hear. Don't ever let an audi give you a bad time about "cheap" Costco aids, because that's simply not true. When I went to the CI clinic to be tested, one of the audis there really dissed my $1,400 Costco aid and told me to junk it and buy two $3,000 Phonaks, with charges for each followup visit--but the other audi there (who provides counseling about living with hearing loss) had nothing but praise for Costco.

What you need is a fitter who really wants to do the best he or she can to improve how you hear. The woman I see at Costco has gone out of her way to self-educate about hearing and hearing diseases...and knows more than either of the accredited audis at the CI hearing clinic! I don't think any place offers a more liberal guarantee and return policy than Costco. If you can find a place that will help with cost, cutting the price of the aids in half is another big help.

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tonyinmi | @tonyinmi | Jul 31, 2020
In reply to @daisyg74 "Masks posing a problem with health care workers Hello, I am an L&D RN who has..." + (show)
@daisyg74

Masks posing a problem with health care workers
Hello, I am an L&D RN who has been struggling with hearing as a result of COVID 19 and mandatory masks in the work place. I am looking for suggestions to help with my hearing loss. I wear hearing aids but with the use of masks I am struggling to hear providers, coworkers and patient. Currently I have asked my hospital to provide me with an accommodation to keep me working in OB. They have not been able to provide me with an accommodation so I have been taken off the schedule and am now doing side projects. Also, I need an updated pair of hearing aids and cannot afford them as they are priced at $2500/3500 a piece. Any information on funding for these devices would be appreciated.<br />Elaine Clark</p>

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@daisyg74, do you have a smartphone? If so, a speech to text app may work. You'll have to make sure you're close to the person speaking though. The accuracy goes down the further away from the person speaking. You may have to pass the phone back and forth in order to get the accuracy you need. If a WiFi signal is available, I like the Live Transcribe app but it is only available for Androids. If you have an iPhone, then Otter Voice works just as well and does not require WiFi. Clear masks are not N-95 so you may not be able to benefit from that product.
Tony in Michigan

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1 reply
daisyg74 | @daisyg74 | Aug 2, 2020
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @daisyg74 Thanks so much for joining Mayo Clinic Connect As you will see I have..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @daisyg74 Thanks so much for joining Mayo Clinic Connect As you will see I have moved your discussion to an ongoing discussion about hearing loss and the problems that masks are causing with those who suffer from hearing loss. I also added your conversation to the hearing loss group if you would like to follow them as well. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/hearing-loss/ This helps you connect with other members that have similar experiences. Have you thought about the option of the clear masks, is that something they allow in the OB? Have you discussed any of this with your HR representative?

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Thank you, hr is looking into the clear masks but they may not meet the requirements for masks in the hospital setting.

REPLY
daisyg74 | @daisyg74 | Aug 2, 2020
In reply to @barbb "Hi Daisy, What is L & D? If your hearing is not more than moderate, have..." + (show)
@barbb

Hi Daisy, What is L & D? If your hearing is not more than moderate, have you considered Costco with its lower prices? Regarding funding this website gives you contact information and more for your vocational Rehab office: https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/financial-assistance/state-agenices/ Let us know what happens in your search. A an essential worker I wonder if you have easier access to help.

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Labor & delivery 😃

REPLY
daisyg74 | @daisyg74 | Aug 2, 2020
In reply to @tonyinmi "@daisyg74, do you have a smartphone? If so, a speech to text app may work. You'll..." + (show)
@tonyinmi

@daisyg74, do you have a smartphone? If so, a speech to text app may work. You'll have to make sure you're close to the person speaking though. The accuracy goes down the further away from the person speaking. You may have to pass the phone back and forth in order to get the accuracy you need. If a WiFi signal is available, I like the Live Transcribe app but it is only available for Androids. If you have an iPhone, then Otter Voice works just as well and does not require WiFi. Clear masks are not N-95 so you may not be able to benefit from that product.
Tony in Michigan

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Thank you I will download this app today and try it.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 4, 2020
In reply to @daisyg74 "Thank you I will download this app today and try it." + (show)
@daisyg74

Thank you I will download this app today and try it.

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Hi @daisyg74, how are you doing? Any update on accommodations being made?

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