Organization: Cochlear
Title: [WHD Cochlear] – Creating an Environment for Everyone
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
WHD Cochlear – Creating an environment for everyone
Description:
On the occasion of World Hearing Day, Cochlear organized an internal awareness day for employees aimed at challenging them to rethink how our environment, buildings, … are designed.
The program brought together several perspectives.
A parent from VLOK-CI gave our colleagues an honest and moving insight into the impact of cochlear implants — and everything that comes with them. From navigating the school environment to facing additional challenges that can affect a child’s speech development, it was a powerful reminder that hearing loss extends far beyond the device itself.
Through VR, Maartje Hendrikse (a post-doc researcher in audiology and VR) challenged us to rethink how we design and use spaces. What can we change in a room to improve sound quality? Something as simple as adding carpets or curtains can significantly improve speech understanding for people with hearing loss. Small adjustments can make a big difference.
A LEGO-workshop encouraged us to reflect on everyday activities (taking the train, going to the supermarket, …) things that feel “normal” to many of us but can be major challenges for people with specific needs. Could pictograms replace lengthy explanations? Could haptic feedback in train stations help? How can we become more aware in the way we design and communicate? There are many small habits we can introduce into daily life to make the world more inclusive.
During an interactive Lego workshop, participants explored everyday situations such as traveling by train or going to the supermarket, and discussed how small changes — like using pictograms or introducing haptic signals — could make environments more accessible. Finally, illustrator Geeske shared her personal experience with hearing loss and offered practical insights on how to make communication more inclusive and comfortable.
And last but not least, Geeske van Voorthuijsen (a partly deaf illustrator) shared a kind and insightful perspective on how we can help people with hearing loss feel more comfortable and included. Because ultimately, it’s not just about hearing better — it’s about communicating better.
The activities encouraged employees to understand hearing loss from different perspectives. And brought us insights in what we can do as a company and as a colleague to let people with hearing loss feel more comfortable and included.
Primary site: EUR – Belgium
Region: EUR
Impactful Story:
This day is a starting point to change our behaviour in the company. We will be hanging out flyers, ask colleagues what they learned and what they will apply in their daily lives.
This was done by doing a VR simulation, LEGO-workshop and Geeskes insights.
I’ll attach some pictures.
General Photos
Geeske van Van Voorhuijsen inspiring our colleagues
Designing an Environment for Everyone
VR: exploring ways to improve speech understanding in a room
Room is Ready to Welcome a parent from VLOK-CI
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: No
Traditional media: No
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: persons with disabilities (including hearing loss), older adults, migrants or refugees
Met with individual policymaker: No
Participation of policy makers: No
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: No
WHO educational and social media used: Yes