Blog

Magz is a valued Restart Scheme Advisor and part of our team in Greater Manchester. What many people don’t see is the journey she has undertaken after losing her hearing suddenly and without warning. 
 

 

Becoming deaf without warning is something no one prepares you for. For me, it happened suddenly, overnight alongside misdiagnosis of Labyrinthitis, and that made the experience even harder. It became apparent I had suffered a few mini strokes which affected my hearing. Not knowing what was really happening, or why, left me feeling frightened, isolated, and lost in a completely unfamiliar world. 

Losing your hearing doesn’t just affect how you listen. It affects how you connect with others, how you communicate, your balance and coordination, and how included you feel. It can be an incredibly lonely place. 

I was in a supermarket once, trying to manage as normally as possible. Because balance and coordination issues can come on without warning, I suddenly lost my balance and ended up on the floor. Someone looked at me and said, “Wow, look - drunk at this time in the morning.” No one offered to help. That moment broke me. I was already exhausted from fighting an invisible disability and didn’t have the strength left to explain or defend myself. My husband, who was with me, stepped in and did that for me. Although they tried to apologise, the judgment had already been made. 

At the beginning, the loneliness was very overwhelming. Conversations became exhausting. Social situations felt awkward and uncomfortable. I often felt invisible in rooms full of people, completely cut off from the world I once knew. 

 

Now, three years on, life looks very different. 

I have learned how to manage life as a deaf person. I’ve adapted, learned to lip read, and built the confidence to ask for what I need, often with a bit of humour along the way. The challenges haven’t disappeared, and they never will, but I’ve grown stronger through them and continue to do so. 

Becoming deaf changed my life, but it didn’t end it. It taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of understanding. Most importantly, it showed me that with the right support, inclusion isn’t just possible, it is empowering. 

 

When I interviewed at Ingeus, I felt it went well, but I did not disclose I was profoundly deaf until the end as I did not want to be judged by my deafness and how this could affect me, I wanted to be judge for me and what I could bring to the role. 

Since starting with Ingeus the company have made accessibility a priority and have taken real steps to make my working environment inclusive. Simple but thoughtful adjustments have made a huge difference, allowing me to work confidently and feel valued rather than limited and judged by my deafness. 

 

Deafness is often invisible, and misunderstanding can be deeply hurtful. Awareness, empathy, and simple changes in how we communicate can make an enormous difference. 

My journey and the support I receive at Ingeus shows that with understanding and the right adjustments, deafness does not define limits. Inclusion isn’t just possible; it’s empowering. 

During Deaf Awareness Week, let’s all take a moment to listen differently, communicate more thoughtfully, and ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, and truly included. 

 

As Magz’s line manager, I am very aware of the support she needs and how best to support her in her role, as well as how others can support her effectively.  

Magz relies heavily on lip reading, so clear communication is essential. Over time, I’ve become more aware of when she may be struggling, particularly in meetings and I consciously adapt my communication style to support her understanding. From the moment Magz joined the team, it was important to fully understand her needs, including practical considerations such as where she sits in the office and positioning during meetings. 

We’ve discussed support options like hearing loops, specialist headsets, and other reasonable adjustments.

While Magz is currently managing well without these, her needs are kept under regular review so support can change if required. In meetings, I ensure she sits close enough to see the speaker clearly, and during Teams calls I check in to make sure she’s following the discussion and feels included. 

Magz also experiences tinnitus, meaning loud or repetitive background noise, such as drilling from nearby buildings can be particularly challenging. In these situations, it is important that I check in with her to see what support or adjustments may help ease any discomfort. 

Magz has been open about her deafness from day one. Before sharing this information more widely, I ensured she was comfortable with that. The team are very understanding and supportive, though in group environments they sometimes need gentle reminders about clear communication and awareness. 

From the outside, Magz’s disability isn’t visible but her resilience, professionalism, and the strong relationships she has built most definitely are. Regular check-ins ensure she feels heard, supported, and empowered to raise concerns or suggest improvements. Ensuring Magz feels included isn’t a one-off adjustment; it’s an ongoing priority. 

 

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