The document summarizes a webinar hosted by AbilityNet on how technology can help with hearing loss. It introduces the speakers and AbilityNet, discusses polls taken during the webinar, and provides tips on assistive technologies and how hospitals can better communicate with deaf or hard of hearing patients. The webinar covered apps and tools to help with exhaustion from hearing loss, advice for older adults with untreated hearing loss, and how AbilityNet can provide free technology support.

1. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss
Matthew Johnston, Thoughtworks
James Watson-O’Neill, SignHealth
Iain Wilson, AbilityNet
Stuart Goldberg, AbilityNet
Annie Mannion, AbilityNet (host)
6 December 2022

2. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Welcome
• BSL translation – Rachel Roberts. Slide panel to increase size (desktop/laptop)
• Live captions during the online event – toggle on/off
• Slides, a transcript and recording will be made available
• Please use the Q&A window to ask questions
• Chat function is disabled
• Feedback form to ask any follow up questions post-event

3. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Who are we?
AbilityNet supports people of any
age, living with any disability or
impairment to use technology to
achieve their goals at home, at
work and in education.

4. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Today's speakers
• Matthew Johnston, Global Head of Disability Inclusion, Thoughtworks
technology consultancy
• James Watson-O’Neill, CEO SignHealth charity
• Iain Wilson, AbilityNet Tech Volunteer coordinator
• Stuart Goldberg, AbilityNet Tech Volunteer coordinator

5. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Poll 1:
Do you currently experience some level of
hearing loss?
• Yes, I am d/Deaf
• Yes, I have severe hearing loss
• Yes, I have some hearing loss
• No

6. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
How AbilityNet tech volunteers can help
Iain Wilson, AbilityNet
Stuart Goldberg, AbilityNet

7. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Join our Tech volunteers!
www.abilitynet.org.uk/
volunteers
“I get lots of support from AbilityNet staff, and
from the excellent website. I always feel valued
when I'm working and never feel judged when
I'm not.” - AbilityNet Tech Volunteer
“Welcoming, supportive environment. Excellent
training. Totally rewarding!” - AbilityNet Tech
Volunteer

8. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Panel discussion

9. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Q1.
• "Hearing loss makes me exhausted” is a common comment we’ve
learned – guessing, filling in the blanks, following conversations with
missing words.
• What apps or assistive technologies can you suggest that could
help?

10. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Q2.
• In the UK, more than 40% of people over 50 years old have hearing
loss, rising to more than 70% of people over the age of 70.
But, some people may not want to admit they have trouble hearing,
despite the risks this may pose - eg, dangers of not hearing
doorbells, alarms, understanding medical information correctly.
Can you provide some suggestions about what advice and tech
might help?

11. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Q3.
• One of our focuses at AbilityNet in 2023 will be how the NHS can be
more accessible.
With this in mind, can you suggest how hospital staff/GPs etc can
use tech to communicate with patients who are deaf, or who have
hearing loss?

12. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Poll 2:
Do you use digital tools / apps / assistive tech to
help with your hearing loss or if you are d/Deaf?
• Yes, regularly
• Yes, sometimes
• Not often - I am not very confident in using them
• Not often - I find them uncomfortable
• No, I need help to make a start
• No, but I am encouraged to now after today’s tips

13. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Open Q&A
Please use the Q&A window, not the chat window
Slides, transcripts and a recording of this online event will be made available

14. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Free IT Support at Home and online
• Factsheets, webinars available: abilitynet.org.uk
• Helpline: 0800 048 7642 – 9am to 5pm,
Monday to Friday
• Free tech support for disabled and older people:
www.abilitynet.org.uk/at-home
• 300 tech volunteers who can solve IT issues either
remotely or in person

15. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Accessibility and inclusion training courses
• FREE Introduction to Accessibility: Thursday 19 January
• FREE: How to build a disability inclusive workplace: Wednesday 25 January
• Save 10% on 2023 training courses: discount code AbilityNetWebinar10
• Book now: www.abilitynet.org.uk/training

16. Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss – December 2022
Keep in touch
• AbilityNet newsletter: abilitynet.org.uk/newsletter
• Accessibility services: abilitynet.org.uk/accessibility
• Next free webinars: abilitynet.org.uk/webinars
• Coming up on Tuesday 13 December: Accessibility Insights with
David Padmore and Matt Simpson of ITV