Lesley was born with profound binaural sensorineural hearing loss which is a degenerative condition. Today, around 3.6 million people experience some form of hearing impairment in Australia and by 2050 it is expected 1 in 4 people will be living with some degree of hearing loss. Throughout her life, Lesley has learnt to cope, but the mental stress of coping with the day-to-day practicalities, coupled with the stigma and discrimination, takes a toll.

“With an invisible disability, people often don’t see the challenges that we navigate, and it used to take me a long time before I felt safe enough to disclose my disability and ask for support,” she added.

When she joined BHP in 2017 she had already been in the mining industry for 9 years. Despite her knowledge and experience, she still felt that this was something that she should keep to herself, and developed strategies to cope. But it came at a price.

“Following body language like knowing when to smile and laugh in noisy groups, and the cognitive load in meetings of listening hard, lip reading and trying to remember everything instead of taking notes all at once is simply exhausting,” she recalls.  

When COVID hit in 2020, it exacerbated the challenges. Almost overnight, everything went online. In meetings, people would sometimes have their cameras off, making lip reading impossible. And even with cameras on, poor lighting and the quality of the sound made it difficult to follow and participate in the discussion.

Mask-wearing became the norm – yet another hurdle, making it impossible to understand what was being said. At about the same time, Lesley was told that the hearing aids she relied on were no longer a viable option as her hearing loss became more profound. Following her audiologist’s advice, she decided to get her first cochlear implant. This big change of relearning how to hear with an electrode also coincided with her move to a new team.

“I was terrified but I felt that it was essential to share my plans with my new manager and my team as I would need their support and understanding through the procedure and the rehabilitation process following surgery.”

So, taking a big, brave step, at a safety share, she talked about what life was like for someone with a hearing disability. The reactions were heart-warming. Her manager and colleagues were extremely supportive, and in fact, some people reached out to ask for advice for family members with similar challenges. 

One of her colleagues, Sarah McKiernan, Head of Hygiene shared, “my reflection was just how grateful I was that you so graciously walked us through your very personal journey and how we can do some really simple things to make your experience at work a whole lot easier. I find myself often reflecting on these recommendations when I am speaking with others. I feel like you imparted knowledge that will help me with all future interactions with people with or without hearing impairment. A real gift.”

“I’ve now become far more vocal in talking about my disability and advocating for myself and others. Through my involvement with Amber, I hope that people see the power in vulnerability and become strong voices that inspire change,” she shared.

And change is needed. While she sees that BHP has come a long way, there is still much to do.  Putting the individual at the centre and working collaboratively to understand everyone’s unique needs will create the right environment for everyone to thrive.

“I feel the difference. I am no longer surviving at work, but thriving now and would encourage anyone who needs additional support to reach out. Amber is a great first stop and your colleagues there can help you access the support and services that you need.”