Case study: Adjustments for an officer with a hearing impairment.

I have been in the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) since 1975 and was a motor cyclist from 1978-2006. During my career I have attended regular 9mm pistol ranges and have worn motor cycle helmets which were connected to the radio system. This I think contributed to my premature hearing loss, as it was only in recent years that more importance has been placed on hearing protection.

The police federation accepted my request for some form of help with my hearing loss and I was subsequently compensated by the MOD who accepted liability for the hearing impairment.  I applied for digital hearing aids through the Access to Work scheme and was eventually supplied with them.

Although I am now a local intelligence officer and no longer a motor cyclist I have found the digital aids a significant benefit both at work and at home.

I shall always be grateful to the MOD for funding these aids which at the time were about £2,500 each, they have enabled me to carry on with my career and because of the advance in technology most people are not even aware I am wearing them. At least two other officers at my station have now been supplied with digital aids as a result of this scheme.

(www.mod.uk)