What jobs are suitable for hard of hearing people?

[JustWingingLifeAsUsual]

I know some people might say that they can do whatever they want but honestly that is not the case in my situation. I have been severely hard of hearing for many years and it has gotten progressively worse that hearing aids are not even helping the problem. I no longer wear them as I am also a glasses wearer and I can only have behind the ear aids due to in the canal not being powerful enough for my type of hearing loss, therefore they're very uncomfortable. I've got RIC which I paid privately for and they are uncomfortable and quite frankly, useless!

Anyway, at the moment I work in a dead end job cleaning toilets and I run a household as well (mum of 1). I have qualifications but they are not something I want to do. I cannot do admin jobs due to the phone which I struggle to hear on and I was a care assistant which I hated because of the stress.

I am also not academic. I can understand to a certain extent but I'd never be able to do a degree as I've already attempted it (Micky Mouse degree to prove to myself I can do it) but unfortunately I can't and it was not the career I wanted to go into.

This also makes me feel extremely isolated and not worthy of anything, like I am incapable and there's no point trying hard anymore because my hearing and lack of intelligence will always be a hinderance

There are loads of accessories you can invest in that will help lots of situations including using phones, meetings etc. Lots of employers will look at financing these along side the access to work scheme so need not cost you.

Severe hearing loss can be isolating and it can be hard to adjust.

Have you been seen by The NHS? Have they considered a BAHA or would a Choclear implant be something that may help? There are body worn bone conductors that allow you to try them out to.see if it may be a better solution for you, is it something you would try?

OP it's difficult to advise you what career path to follow as I don't know enough about your experience and qualifications but just to highlight, any role you do must be supported by your employer with reasonable adjustments to make up for your hearing problems which are a physical disability under the Equality Act.

You are more likely to gain access to support in a public sector or local authority role because they are a large employer and are far more likely to have ample experience of supporting you with your particular needs.

You could try Civil Service Jobs for example, if you want access to basic admin roles.

Where are you based? I think you need to build some confidence and skills which will help you get into work. HOH groups are good for this sort of thing. Often run through loca Deaf organisations who could help you with other things such as technology and access to work advice.

What sort of work would you like?

I’m sorry that you are finding things difficult with your hearing loss.

I have mild hearing loss and wear hearing aids so I do know how difficult it can be at work and the constant struggle to hear. It must be so much harder for you as your hearing loss is quite severe.

I’m sure you’re not stupid and your post doesn’t come across like that at all.

What sort of job or career would you like to do? I don’t think you should choose a job that works with your hearing loss though, choose something you are interested in: getsuperhumanhearing.com/jobs-hearing-loss/

You could try contacting Remploy for help and advice in finding work www.remploy.co.uk/individuals/finding-work-and-support-work and you can also speak to an advisor over online chat.

Could you try doing some volunteering to develop some skills and build confidence? Choose a charity or organisation you are interested in.

A former colleague of mine was very deaf. We were colleagues when he did data entry for a university (lots of printed materials that need to be updated quite quickly so easier to have someone on site than outsource). He also undertook database analysis, data extracting. He concentrated on that, no answering the phone etc.

He left to retrain as an audiologist. The place he went to train at where really pleased to have him as a student and were well set up to support him.

I am profoundly deaf. I've worked since 16. now in a fairly senior position in the careers service!!! So well placed to help you I'd say. I've helped lots of deaf people into work.

your lack of qualifications are not a barrier and please do not use your hearing loss as an excuse.

If hearing aids are no longer working for you, as your GP for a referral for a cochlear implant. That's what I have as hearing aids were no longer working for me. But again, I know sign language users who work in admin, so it's possible. I even know one who works as a sound technician for a television company!!

Speak to Action on Hearing Loss and Hearing Link for advice on the support available and AoHL also have employment advisers. Speak to the national careers service also.

Consider a return to study - there is disabled student's allowance that you can get whilst studying, no matter what level of course, and this can pay for someone to take notes for you, a hearing loop or other support which you may not be aware of.

You can get similar support in the workplace, paid for the government under the Access to Work scheme. For this reason, there is literally no job your hearing will prevent you doing - eg I make phone calls all the time and without my cochlear implant I'm completely deaf. I use a roger pen connected to a headset, and have in the past used a textphone. There's also amplified telephones.

So stop using your hearing loss as an excuse and put your mind to whatever job interests you. It may take a while but it is possible.

I'm sorry that you're struggling so much.

I'm sure there must be jobs that you would enjoy that wouldn't require you to wear hearing aids. (My dad has had progressively severe hearing loss since his 40s and I know he finds them very wearing to have in for extended periods.)

I run a horticulture related business, and obviously it's very much something you have to have an interest in, but I can't see that hearing loss would be anything of an issue at all. We deal with customers by email the vast majority of the time, and basically the growing side of it is outdoors working alone mostly. (There are all sorts of skill levels in horticulture jobs from jobbing gardening through to highly qualified landscape design!)

As a pp mentions perhaps the careers service might be a place to start thinking about what sort of jobs you might enjoy / be good at?

Thank you all so, so much for your replies! I really appreciate it.
I know I shouldn't be using my hearing loss as an excuse. That's all I ever seem to do! I just keep saying I can't do this/can't do that because I can't hear properly...! And I have been under the NHS audiologist since I was very young but their hearing aids are too big and bulky, hence why I went private but to be honest, I am never going to be happy regardless! I just hate wearing them. I constantly feel them and cannot get used to it.
I enjoy working with computers and programmes, so I am thinking of retraining for an ICT course (BTEC). I've found a company that can do this, I just need to save some money. I am also working on my maths so I can pass level 2 and proceed to go from there.
I am trying, I just haven't got much confidence at the moment :(