Our Aims
- To provide information for
- and create a network of
- health professionals with hearing loss
What this site is about
UKHPHL’s founder members are two doctors working in the UK. When we each realised that our hearing had deteriorated there seemed little support and information specific to working as health professionals with hearing loss, such as using stethoscopes and issues relating to training and working in the health service.
After much hunting, we began to find this information mainly from other d/Deaf and hard of hearing health professionals, mostly through the internet. We created this site to ease the way for others, particularly in the UK.
Behind the public face of the website is a growing community of d/Deaf and hard of hearing healthcare professionals and students. Our email group provides a network for advice and support. Not only is deafness a hidden disability, but despite legal protection under the Equality Act, some are cautious about disclosure through their own or others’ experience of discrimination. Many of us feel isolated and most haven’t knowingly come across other health professionals with hearing loss in our work and training. The UKHPHL community is proving a welcome antidote to this isolation.
Why a UK site?
The Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses, based in the US, is an excellent source of information. But some information is specific to each country and we found very little relating to training and working in the UK. Where can we get equipment to try before we buy? What employment rights do we have? What funding and other resources are available?
Our UK website shares information we have found and includes links to information relevant to working in the UK. In our e-mail discussion group anyone with a question or issue to discuss can ask the whole group and benefit from a wide range of experience and views. The network alleviates some of the isolation many of us experience
If you would like to know more about the email group for UK health professionals with hearing loss, please contact me here.
Click here for information about the email group and how to join.