Meet the members of the PPIE Panel for the Hearing Health Research Theme.

Terry Emery (Member of the public)

Professional Background:

My working background is advertising and marketing, starting in ‘Madmen’ days and ending as a freelance copywriter. As I tapered my paid work, I began volunteering – Samaritans, a Talking Newspaper, Macmillan. So when deafness led to a CI, PPI was an easy add-on, about 10 years ago. It’s given me loads of fresh insights – from both clinician/researchers and other lay members. I like being able to bring ‘Patient’ experience from my deafness, alongside business and communication aspects as a ‘Public’ contributor.

Reason for joining the Panel:

PPIE is contagious, and I’ve enjoyed the range of activities available from just clarifying a Patient Information Sheet, to helping put together the Institute’s strategy and funding bid. Two favourites: a national 2-year programme to develop more/better research into under-funded hearing and tinnitus; a (nothing-to-do-with-hearing-loss) study of terminal cancer patients’ responses to trialling new drugs. On that, we developed the invitation, framed the questionnaire, reviewed the results, co-wrote the report. (And got an award for an exhibition poster on it all.)

Joyce Tucker (Member of the public)

Professional Background:

I am currently a Library Assistant in the upper school library of an independent school. Prior to this I worked in the public library sector for many years, during which time I became a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.  At university I studied Hospitality Management, staying briefly in the sector before moving to the UK. I currently volunteer as a school governor and previously as a community advocate for a charity.

Reason for joining the Panel:

Having been diagnosed with Otosclerosis many years ago and experience the impact hearing loss has had on myself and my family, I have been interested in research and support on this subject for some time. I finally feel comfortable and strong enough on my journey with hearing loss to put my name forward and able to be a part of something that may help others and share my experiences. 

Interests:

Reading, community advocacy, education, helping others, cooking. Diversity and inclusion.

Corinne Bailey (Member of the public)

Professional Background:

I am an IT project / programme manager currently working for Nationwide, having worked as a project manager in legal, social housing and telecoms sectors.  My initial career was commercially based as an IT procurement manager for BT and then into product management and continuing to project management.

As a project manager I organise and plan and the key skillset is people / team management leading people to deliver a common goal.  Communication across the team and wider company is essential, using the best communication method for the group / individual. Recognising that individuals take on information in different ways and communicate in different ways. I work with culturally diverse teams and organisations with people across different continents.

Reason for joining the Panel:

I have hearing loss and have lived through difficulties with communication and getting people to understand how to communicate across perceived boundaries.  This is not only for hearing loss but for cultural differences, social differences and other ways people are challenged in standard communication as both my sons are dyslexic.

Attitude towards hearing loss is beginning to change and I would like to help support education and informing people so that it becomes normal to have multiple ways of communicating with people so that they can pick the best method for them.  The technology is there to do this, it just needs to be used effectively.

Interests:

I’m a trained aromatherapist and have an interest in plants and their uses.  I sail and we have a small day sailing boat in the Bristol channel. Love eating out and cooking with friends and family.

Molly Berry (Patient Representative)

Professional Background:

I retired in 2022.

I was a Lipreading and Managing Hearing Loss tutor, and served on the committee of the  Association of Teachers of Lipreading to Adults (Atla), 5  years as its chair during which time I was also a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness.

I am still in regular touch with Atla.

Reason for joining the Panel:

I have always been interested in research, in particular research into hearing loss. I have taken part in several research projects into Cochlear Implants and hearing loss, mostly at UCL. I know that hearing loss is a much neglected and underfunded field, but it is incredibly important, it affects every aspect of the person's life, including the length of that life and chances of healthy ageing. There is still a stigma associated with hearing loss.

I bring not only my own experience of hearing loss, but also that of my former students.

Interests:

I read a lot, enjoy music (now I have a CI), enjoy travel and swimming (in silence), but most of my time at the moment goes on raising awareness of the climate catastrophe.

Linda Kirby (Member of the public)

Professional Background:

University library assistant (retired).

I worked in a student-facing role in a Post-1992 university in inner London.

Past member of a London Borough School Appeals panel.

Reason for joining the Panel:

My congenital hearing loss was diagnosed late in life (when I was 50). Hearing aids have transformed my life. I would like to contribute in any way I can to further research so that others can continue to benefit in the same way.

Interests:

I have a strong interest in social sciences particularly health and education (Social Science graduate 1970). In my early career I worked briefly in a social services research department and I think linking theory, research and practical application is important.

Richard Palmer (Member of the public)

Professional Background:

Former Assessment and Reviewing Officer in a local government sensory disabilities team specialising in acquired hearing loss.

Reason for joining the Panel:

To help to make hearing health services even more accessible to all. To make recommendations for improvement and to highlight good practice. To share my experiences as a user of N.H.S Audiology Services and of caring for my parents who had hearing impairments as part of complex health issues. To share my lived experience as an Autistic person in accessing statutory services.

Interests:

Supporting and promoting equality of access to the built environment, equity of access to services. In my spare time I enjoy local history, live music and many other artforms.

Margaret Ogden (Patient Representative)

Professional Background:

I am a PPI member who started off in health 15 years ago. Then I progressed to public health and more recently social care. My areas of interest are palliative care, equality & diversity, training, patient safety, cancer, dementia, ENT, diabetes, oral health, surgery. I hold several positions as a co-applicant. I won an award in 2019 – Putting patients and carers first. Last year I got an honorary degree from York St John.

Reason for joining the Panel:

I love PPI in ENT having got an illness called Wegener’s which affected my hearing – hyperacusis – and upper respiratory system – I have nasal problems.

Interests:

I do PPI full time and also write poems about PPI. 4 have gone in newsletters. I like theatre, cinema, art galleries, museums. Travel has been mostly to European countries.

Geoff Hewins (Patient Representative)

Professional Background:

I have been employed in radio repair for the Civil Service after leaving school. l then went to work as a Telecomms Engineer for Cable and Wireless then onto a telecomms computer maintenance company and lastly a similar company for 15 years before retiring due becoming deaf by 50 years of age.

Reason for joining the Panel:

I would like to help improve treatments for people with deafness.

I have had different hearing problems starting with otosclerosis so have a wealth of experience in the problems associated with hearing aids and cochlear implants and feel this experience may help this advisory panel.

Interests:

I am interested in current affairs, fitness, history, gardening and motoring.

Arif Hoque (Member of the Public and Patient Representative)

Professional Background:

My main job is working in Government helping to deliver high-quality crucial public services. Through this occupation as well as other corporate roles I hold with different organisations, I have become a highly committed and driven young person keen to ensure everyone's views and needs are taken into account within an organisation. I have a particular keenness to also ensure young people as a group are heard well as too often in society they feel invisible and alone.

I am highly competent at building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders at all levels effectively and work with them to deliver remarkable results. Also, I have strong planning and organisational skills and competently use them alongside technological applications to meet conflicting priorities effectively. Additionally, I am a driven, empathetic, inclusive leader who role models the highest principles and can effectively deliver on the assigned duties to a high standard. Furthermore, I am a strong communicator both verbally and in writing and can competently deliver concise messages to maximise understanding and impact to different stakeholders. 

Reason for joining the Panel:

I would like to contribute my personal lived experience and perspective. As well as offering my own personal contributions, I would like to work with others taken on to offer agreed recommendations and ideas that will result in effective decisions being made which is what this opportunity will provide. Also, I am keen and competent at working together in a team and using my lived experience to help make effective improvements within organisations and have experience of doing so which I believe will be of instrumental value to this opportunity. As a service user of East London NHS Foundation Trust for example, I have participated in service user group discussions and activities on matters including loneliness, digital skills and employment. Overtime and reliably, I effectively built rapport with different stakeholders and confidently shared my suggestions and views in a meaningful, constructive manner, respectfully considering other people’s opinions. By doing so, I was able to work well with others in making effective improvements in regards to how the Trust delivered its services and cared for its patients. As a result of my valuable individual contributions and excellent teamwork, I was nominated for the awards of young person of the year and contribution to service improvement at the Trust's annual people participation awards ceremony in 2018. Furthermore, I am very passionate about making an effective and meaningful difference to people's lives and communities. I believe being accepted will allow me to fulfil this further.

Interests:

I have a large immediate and extended family network and so I prioritise my leisure time with them consistently. I enjoy participating in enriching social activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award. I have successfully obtained my Bronze and Silver Awards and am completing the Gold level. I also enjoy driving my car to go out with my immediate family visiting relatives and family friends and also to do shopping and meet up with friends.

Tim Whittaker (Member of the Public and Patient Representative)

Professional Background:

Electronics and telecommunications engineer, currently working for Cambridge Consultants Ltd., a 500-strong contract design and development organisation that creates products for our clients in a range of markets. My role combines business development with technical coordination in project delivery, requiring communication and management skills with clients, colleagues and third parties.

In past jobs, I have worked in TV broadcast and then in live sound engineering in opera, where delivery of ‘invisible’ sound reinforcement was paramount, and where we carried out considerable development work to achieve it.

My key skills are in each of building client relationships, sale of product development work and then its delivery, good empathy and communication are crucial to building the level of trust required for clients to commit the relatively large sums of money involved. This involves a good degree of empathy, helping all participants over times of difficulty.

I also serve on the committee of a local charity that supports refugees and others without status in the Watford area: work here involves supporting an entirely volunteer-run organisation, helping to resolve conflicts as well as maintaining the public face of the organisation.

Reason for joining the Panel:

I am now a patient suffering tinnitus and hyperacuity, and am learning that some of the mainstream treatments may not cover these conditions well (though my learning continues!)

Interests:

A strong interest in sound and hearing has taken me through most of my professional employment (and also now in a voluntary capacity, as technical director in our local church).

Nabihah Ali (Member of the Public and Patient Representative)

Professional Background:

I am a student with quick learning, teamwork and strong communication skills.

Reason for joining the Panel:

As a Biomedical Sciences student I am massively interested in research, on top of that my experience as a patient with hearing issues and carer for clients with hearing issues has provided me with a unique perspective that I think can be useful as part of the UCLH BRC Hearing Health Theme Panel.

Interests:

I am interested in research, graphic design, video editing and all things regarding the functioning of the human body.

Ozzy David-Uwangue (Member of the public)

Professional Background:

A HR professional and writer, with a niche in Employability and Placements. Currently an Equity Champion at the St George’s University of London, and previously the Athena Swan - EDI Professional Services Representative at the Medway School of Pharmacy (2020-2024), with over 20 years industry experience. Participated in research for Neurodiversity at the St George’s University of London, and contributed to the development of a library accessibility document. I collaborated with staff, external and internal stakeholders (students, pharmacist within the community and NHS hospitals), to host successful Careers Fairs at the University of Kent and Medway School of Pharmacy. 

Reason for joining the Panel:

I would like to be involved in research that can lead to early detection and intervention, such as risk factors to hearing loss, signs/symptoms and possible genetic dispositions.

I am interested in supporting research and policy making and to effect positive change in how some patient services are delivered. For example, testing advanced technology for UCLH hearing health and reporting or presenting outcomes to patients. 

I strongly support research because it would help me understand the pathophysiology of hearing loss (noise or age-related and/or due to a genetic disposition). 

Research can help in making improved or early diagnosis and offering various treatment options to patients.

Interests:

I am interested in creative activities, writing, home décor, sports, intellectual pursuits, discussion/journal groups, reading, research, volunteering and travelling.

I volunteered as a Responder for the National Volunteer Service during the pandemic, ran a half-marathon for Cancer Research UK in 2014 and organised fundraising activities for UNICEF.