Hear Here 2026: Breaking Barriers in the Workplace

Hosted by Harley Street Hearing and EY at EY’s Canary Wharf office, Hear Here 2026 brought together professionals, advocates and individuals living with hearing loss for an evening of connection, conversation and shared experiences.

 

From hearing firsthand accounts of navigating hearing loss in the workplace to exploring the latest developments in hearing technology, the event highlighted the importance of accessibility, inclusion and community in helping people thrive both professionally and personally.

A particular highlight of the evening was hearing from our guest speakers. Award-winning editor and journalist Phil Creighton opened the event by sharing his personal journey with hearing loss and his experiences with Auracast technology. EY’s Jessica Ketchen and Trishan Chandarana then demonstrated how Microsoft Copilot within MS Teams can help bridge communication gaps for people with hearing loss in the workplace.

Finally, Sasha Gardner shared her inspiring personal story of living with Microtia and hearing loss, reflecting on her experience wearing hearing aids and navigating both life and the workplace with a hearing difference. Together, their insights offered valuable perspectives on living and working with hearing loss, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy, workplace adjustments, confidence, resilience, and finding support from others who understand the challenges involved.

The conversations that followed demonstrated exactly why Hear Here continues to be such an important event. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with others facing similar experiences, exchange advice and discuss the practical realities of managing hearing loss in professional environments.

Alongside the speaker sessions, attendees were able to meet with manufacturers including Phonak, Oticon, Widex, Starkey, ReSound, Cochlear, Ampetronic and Neurotone AI, who showcased the latest advancements in hearing technology and support services. As technology continues to evolve, innovations in this space are helping more people than ever before to communicate confidently, participate fully and overcome barriers in both the workplace and everyday life.

At Harley Street Hearing, we know that living with hearing loss is about much more than hearing technology alone. Access to information, shared experiences and supportive communities can be just as valuable. Events such as Hear Here create an opportunity for people to learn from one another, build new connections and feel less alone in their journey.

A huge thank you to our speakers, Phil Creighton and Sasha Gardner, for sharing their journeys so openly, and to our manufacturer partners for showcasing the latest advancements helping people hear better every day. We’d also like to thank EY for hosting the event, as well as everyone who attended and contributed to the discussions throughout the evening.

Hear Here continues to demonstrate the power of bringing people together to share experiences, challenge perceptions and promote greater accessibility in the workplace. We are proud to support this growing community and look forward to continuing these important conversations in the years ahead.

We hope to see you at Hear Here 2027!