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Simon, Audio System Installer

Derby  |  Severely to profoundly deaf  |  Two hearing aids

My job

I taught audio system design, acoustics and entertainment engineering for over 20 years. Teaching on an Engineering Degree at a University is quite daunting and hard work, but also very rewarding. I taught both theory and hands on practical work, so could be delivering lectures or working on practicals or external events with students. It’s great working with a range of different people and helping them develop their skills. Our graduates go on to work on some of the biggest shows, concerts and events in the UK and abroad. I’m very proud of their success! I also design and install sound systems and assisted listening systems. I get involved in the technical side of making concerts work and I design and install church sound systems and assistive listening systems. It can be hard work at times, but it’s very satisfying! Because I have hearing loss and understand the technology used, I’m quite well placed to make assisted listening systems operate in a way that really works for users!

My technology

I didn’t use Access to Work, however, my employer did make a number of adjustments, such as visual and text alerts for fire alarms. I did use some of the available audio hardware and software to help me in my job.

I often use apps such as Spectrum Analyser on a tablet to let me see sound that I cannot hear! This helps me detect unwanted noises. I also have many of the settings on my hearing aids (such as noise suppression) switched off because I need to be able to try and hear things as they “really are”. 

My main challenges are that I have to try and listen carefully, knowing I won’t be as good as a person with normal hearing, but I tend to understand fairly well what it is I’m hearing. I have also learnt when to hand over to someone with better ears!

How I got here

I studied science and technology based subjects including acoustics, but also gained lots of experience touring with bands, working on events and designing systems. Being qualified to post graduate level and having experience was important in getting my job.

My advice

My advice for deaf young people: Getting involved in audio can be very hard for those with hearing loss, but through both study and practical involvement I found it was possible! It’s important to recognise your limitations, but don’t let that stop you exploring your interests.