Hearing Ambassadors
Rotarian Trish Greenwood started to lose her hearing at the age of 27 and struggled to find acceptance of her disability in the hearing world that she had always known. Determined to adapt, she wore hearing aids and learned BSL.
When she became profoundly deaf, she had a cochlear implant, but to her surprise, she discovered she was not accepted in a Deaf world either. So where does she belong? Watch here to discover more.
When it comes to hearing loss, technology has become an amazing ally. There’s so much inexpensive tech out there that can work alongside hearing aids or even help people who don’t have them yet. Let’s look at how technology is making life easier for people with hearing loss and why it’s worth checking out.
Hearing aids are brilliant, but pairing them with modern tech can take them to the next level. Here’s how it works:
If you’re not using hearing aids yet, don’t worry—there’s still plenty of tech to make life easier. Here are a few examples:
1. Better Sound Quality & Clarity – Modern hearing aids and assistive devices provide clearer, more natural sound than ever before. Features like background noise reduction, directional microphones, and AI-driven sound processing help enhance speech clarity, making conversations easier and more enjoyable.
2. More Connectivity & Convenience – New devices seamlessly connect to smartphones, televisions, and computers via Bluetooth, allowing users to stream phone calls, music, and videos directly to their ears. This reduces the struggle of trying to hear through speakers or in noisy environments.
3. More Affordable & Accessible Options – Hearing technology is becoming more affordable, with over-the-counter hearing aids available in some countries (but not UK). Additionally, free or inexpensive smartphone apps offer features like speech-to-text and real-time sound amplification, making hearing support more accessible.
4. Improved Social Inclusion – Difficulty hearing can lead to isolation, as conversations in noisy environments become exhausting. By using new technologies, such as Bluetooth directional microphones that connect directly into your hearing aids, people with hearing loss can engage more comfortably in social and workplace settings, improving confidence and overall well-being.
5. Customizable & User-Friendly Features – Many hearing devices now come with smartphone apps that allow users to personalise their hearing preferences, adjust settings, and track their hearing health over time. This level of customisation makes assistive technology more adaptable to individual needs.
7. Expanding Beyond Hearing Aids – Hearing support is no longer limited to traditional hearing aids. Devices such as personal amplifiers, vibrating alarm clocks, and smart home integrations (like flashing doorbells) provide additional support in everyday life.
There’s so much tech out there, but you don’t need to try it all at once. Start small and see what works for you:
As technology keeps improving, the options for affordable hearing support are only going to grow. Whether you’re using hearing aids or just starting to explore tools for hearing loss, there’s something out there to make life easier. The world of hearing technology is evolving rapidly, offering new and improved ways to enhance communication and accessibility.
For example, Apple AirPods with hearing aid features are now available in the UK. As a charity, we don’t endorse any products but we would love to hear about your experiences. Click on the link below to see Christopher Null’s review of the new AirPods in WIRED magazine. Apple AirPods Review from WIRED
Tell us about what technology has made a difference to your daily life. Click here to contact us
When we think about hearing, we often focus on our ears—but did you know that good lighting is good for hearing too.
Hearing is not just about sound; it’s also about visual cues, body language, and lip reading. Good lighting can make a significant difference in helping people with hearing difficulties engage more effectively in conversations and social interactions.
Communication is a combination of listening and visual processing. Facial expressions, lip movements, and gestures all provide essential context to what is being said. In dim or poor lighting, these cues become harder to read, making conversations more challenging for people with hearing loss. Good lighting ensures that these visual signals are clear and accessible.
Many individuals with hearing loss rely on lip reading to supplement their understanding of speech. Without adequate lighting, reading lips and picking up on subtle facial expressions becomes nearly impossible. Shadows, backlighting, or flickering lights can obscure details, leading to misunderstandings and frustration.
Straining to see in poor lighting can be exhausting. We all have to work harder to interpret visual cues in bad lighting, but for people with hearing poor lighting, increases cognitive load and fatigue, making communication even more tiring. A well-lit environment reduces this strain, making conversations smoother and less draining.
Background noise can be a significant barrier for those with hearing loss. In social settings, where multiple conversations happen simultaneously, a well-lit environment helps us identify who is talking, making it easier to follow group discussions, and enabling us to focus on the person speaking.
To create a hearing-friendly environment, consider the following lighting tips:
Lighting isn’t just about seeing better—it’s about hearing better, too. or as one of our followers put it so well, “my eyes are my ears” By ensuring our environments are well-lit, we can support clearer communication, reduce fatigue, and help people with hearing loss stay engaged in conversations. Small changes in lighting can make a big difference in making the world more accessible for everyone.
Take a moment to check your lighting, and you might be surprised at the impact it has on communication!
If you would like to know more about hearing accessibility, take a look at our post Seven Simple Steps to Create Hearing Friendly Spaces
This post has been inspired by our Facebook follower, David.
Imagine struggling to understand what someone says, not because they’re far away but because background noise, poor lighting, or overlapping voices make communication difficult. Whether it’s your workplace, a community space, or an online meeting, here are seven simple tips that won’t break the budget but will make a world of difference to your meeting space and help to foster full participation.
If you are in a big meeting or just chatting with a friend, turn off background noise such as music, the radio, the TV or even the tap when having a conversation. This might seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many people forget that background noise has an enormous impact on how well we hear. That’s why we have made it our number one tip.
Have you noticed that often people subconsciously put their glasses whilst listening intently to what you have to say. Why? Because they want to see your face clearly so they can pick up on your expressions and read the sounds that you make through your lips.
Our second tip is that because everybody lipreads, good lighting makes for good listening. Look out for our next post which will be dedicated to lighting!
This goes for online meetings too. Always check that your camera is positioned so everyone can see your face clearly, and add a desk lamp for that extra illumination.
Often the most important part of a sentence is right at the beginning where you put everything into context so get their attention before speaking. How? Say their name or gently tap their arm.
Nobody likes meetings where everyone talks over one another this is because it’s hard to know which conversation to listen to. In order to get the best from your meeting, encourage participants to talk one at a time. An added unexpected benefit is that if you follow this tip, your meetings will be more productive and quicker too!
Some people think that it’s a good idea to speak a little louder or more clearly. We would suggest that a calm, normal tone works best. Always avoid shouting, as it can come across as aggressive.
You should also just talk normally and skip those exaggerated gestures, which can confuse rather than clarify.
If you have ever hung curtains in an empty room, you will know that soft furnishings make a real difference. Rooms with high ceilings and hard surfaces can be difficult for everyone, so if you can, add soft furnishings like carpets, curtains or even a cushion or two. This will reduce echo and improve acoustics.
Hearing Ambassadors offer expert talks to any organisation on simple, effective ways to improve hearing well-being for your entire team.
Click here today to contact us directly or select one of our talks and book an in-person or online session via Speakernet