This time last year, I was looking ahead to the closure of my workplace in March 2024 and the loss of my job. For 17 years I’d worked at Cochrane UK, the birthplace of the global organisation that is known for its gold standard summaries of health evidence. I loved what I did and the people I worked with. I also enjoyed brilliant support with my hearing loss and all that this meant for me at work. But now, the clock was ticking and my colleagues and I had to start the hunt for new jobs.
Fast forward to August 2024 and I’m six weeks into a new role with UK charity Tommy’s. Having come out the other side, I thought I’d share some reflections on navigating the process of changing jobs with hearing loss.
No-one wants to get it wrong!
Whether it’s because they’re nice people who want to be helpful, or keen to avoid the repercussions of failing to make suitable provision, I’ve found people very willing to make adjustments. So if you’re job-hunting, or starting a new job, don’t hold back on saying what you need.
The CV – hearing loss disclosed?
I thought long and hard about whether to disclose my hearing loss on my CV. Does it disadvantage job seekers? This may depend on the field of work. As I am a health information writer, this blog and other things I’ve written about my deaf experiences, and work I’ve done as a patient representative, are relevant to my field, so I included them.
It’s not a legal requirement to disclose a disability to a potential employer. If you do you, you are protected by the Equality Act. More of that in a minute.
The redundancy process
This involved several official meetings with people from the NHS Trust which employed us, and I was asked if this would be easier for me to have in person rather than online.
The union rep said he would be on the alert for anything that might have been to my disadvantage in potential job matches, but there were no suitable jobs.
The recruitment process
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled job candidates to ensure they are not at a disadvantage during the recruitment process. These will vary depending on individual needs, of course, but these are the things that helped me:
For online interviews
- interviewers having their cameras on and their faces clearly visible
- captions displayed
- interview questions pasted into the chat box, as they were being asked.
For in-person interviews
- sitting near to the panel
- panel not backlit
- quiet room.
Another time, I would ask to be given the questions on paper at the start of the interview.
I always asked for feedback after interviews to be by email, not phone. We could then arrange a video call if there needed to be some discussion.
Starting a new job
Absolutely full marks to Tommy’s, where everyone has been great about my hearing loss.
My manager did two really helpful things before I started. She asked me if there is anything about my hearing loss that is relevant to my work environment. The office is busy and noisy – very challenging in terms of hearing. It was agreed that I would work in the office one day a week, rather than two, working at home for the other four.
She also invited me to write something about my hearing loss to send round to the staff, so that they were aware of what adjustments I might need. Colleagues have responded so positively to this, and I’m impressed by the little considerations shown which mean they are remembering and thinking about it. For example, suggesting that we go to a quiet room for a meeting.
Access to work
I don’t anticipate needing to get help from the government scheme Access to Work, but I used it in my previous job. Following an assessment of my needs, Access to Work, jointly with my employer, funded communication equipment to help me do my job. You can read more about it on this RNID page.The RNID also has a guide for employers.
It’s a new chapter
As I settle into my new job, I feel so grateful for the huge improvements in my hearing that have come with my cochlear implant. I also feel grateful to have landed in an organisation which seems to have genuine care for its members’ wellbeing. If you are navigating job change, I encourage you to speak up about what you need, and to remember that when we advocate for ourselves, we advocate for others with hearing loss. I wish you all the very best.
From Ear to Eternity: a cochlear implant diary 
I would also argue that it’s a good idea to disclose your disability, even if only in the confidential heath questionnaire. This should be screened by an Occupational Health practitioner, who in turn advises the employer (HR) if the Equality Act is likely to apply and if any adjustments may be helpful. I am now retired but was an Occupational Health consultant with a progressive hearing loss (I now have a cochlear implant). Access to Work were very helpful with specialist kit for both clinical work (stethoscope) and meetings. If your new line manager turns out not to be understanding and willing to listen, request a referral to Occupational Health for a neutral, objective assessment of how to get the best fit between work and health.
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