Embracing Deaf Awareness: Sarah's Journey at Barclays

Hi, I’m Sarah, an Operational Rigour Manager supporting colleagues in Everyday Customer Care.

I have been with Barclays for 17 years and I have moderate hearing loss, wearing hearing aids in both ears since 2009. Outside of work, I live with my partner and daughter (plus six cats) in a town in Greater Manchester. My favourite band is Take That and I was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid for a friend where Gary Barlow turned up to sing ‘Million Love Songs’ at the wedding reception!

 

 

My hearing loss has affected me since birth as I was born with nerve damage which impacts my inner ear; however, my ears were damaged further by working in nightclubs in my 20's, affecting my ability to hear low tones, quiet noises or quietly spoken people. The workplace assessments at Barclays have enabled me to access additional tools to help me do my job. From complimentary equipment to be used with my hearing aids whilst on the telephone or for large meetings, and when elements of my role have changed throughout my career, so has the equipment provided to go with it.

My team are also provided with a deaf awareness course to help them better understand how they can help when they interact with me. The assessments and support I have access to have introduced me to equipment I didn’t even know existed. It’s been quite revolutionary at times and the difference between not being able to fully participate due to hearing barriers faced by my situation, then with the help of the Barclays Workplace Adjustments team to now being able to hear clearer and fully engage with my colleagues in varied settings is brilliant and really makes me feel seen and included. Because of this, I am very passionate about the subject of Deaf Awareness and for the second year running I am campaigning events to share with our Barclays colleagues about Deaf Awareness and the impacts that being deaf or hard of hearing has on everyday life.

 

 

The 1st – 7th May 2023 is Deaf Awareness Week in the UK and for Deaf Awareness Week this year, I’d really recommend having a hearing test if you haven’t already, especially if you feel that you struggle with your hearing in any capacity. The technology available today to help those with hearing loss is improving constantly and the difference it has made for me has been tremendous. Considering I was very self-conscious about my hearing aids when I first got them, now I am just truly appreciative that I can talk to and hear my family, friends and colleagues and I honestly couldn’t live without them!

I am Sarah. This is me.

 

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