Deaf Awareness Week: West Midlands ambulance staff share their stories
The Trust is hoping to challenge misconceptions about being deaf
Last updated 5th May 2026
West Midlands Ambulance Service is supporting Deaf Awareness Week (4th - 10th May) in a bid to challenge misconceptions about being deaf and give advice on how to communicate with those who are.
Personal experiences
Two members of staff there are sharing their personal experiences to help raise awareness.
Stacey Powell, who works in the 999 Emergency Operations Centre in Brierley Hill, has been partially deaf since childhood.
She says support and technology have made a big difference in her role: “Whilst being deaf can seem very daunting in a job that’s primarily listening to people, I’ve received nothing but support. The Trust has provided me with a kit to use with my hearing aids so I can Bluetooth my hearing aids to hear patients directly through them.”
Technician Josh Dovey, who is training to become a paramedic, was diagnosed deaf when he was three.
He says specialist equipment helps him carry out patient assessments like any other crew member: “One of the things the Trust has provided for me is a Bluetooth stethoscope and it allows me to complete assessments like any other ambulance crew would.
"I also have a Roger receiver which is a microphone which connects to my hearing aid that can block out background noise and allows me to hear the patient directly.”
The Trust is also using the week to tackle common myths about deafness.
Stacey says: “There are assumptions that people who wear hearing aids can’t hear anything at all, but in my case I can… Lots of people also assume that people who are deaf can lip read or use sign language. I can’t use either of those, but I do look for facial cues and body language.”
Josh adds that hearing loss isn’t always something people are born with: “Not everyone is born deaf. Hearing loss can develop over time due to illness, injury or by being in loud environments.”
Advice on communicating
Advice from the Trust on communicating with someone deaf or hard of hearing:
- Face the person - don't speak away from them
- Make sure your mouth isn't covered and easily seen
- Speak clearly and at a normal pace
- Move to a quieter space if possible to avoid background noise
999 BSL app
The Trust are also raising awareness of the 999 BSL app, which connects users with a British Sign Language interpreter via video during emergencies.
It's available 24/7 and was introduced nationwide in 2022 to give deaf people equal access to emergency support.
To find out more, click here.