Hearing Loss

Workplace Tools & Tips

Communicating with an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing can be easily accomplished. Since there is a wide range of hearing ability, you will need to work with the employee to determine the most appropriate type of accommodation. Below you'll find general guidelines--along with some very specific examples in the section on case studies.

In person
On the phone
In formal business situations
In the field
Safety issues
Audio alerts
Other useful hints
Dealing with speech impairments

ONE-TO-ONE COMMUNICATION (IN PERSON)
To communicate with a deaf or hard-of-hearing person when you are in the same location, there are many possible solutions. You might use:

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• amplification technology: If the individual benefits from sound amplification, a wide range of options are available. Amplification can be provided through the handset, headset, in-line, portable additions and complete phone systems
  
• T-coil technology: Some individuals who wear T-coil ready hearing aids may be able to use a T-coil, which pairs the hearing aid with a compatible telephone.
  
• clarification: For some people, the problem is not that they need sounds to be louder--they need them to be clearer. Clarity can be achieved by adjusting the frequency of the incoming voice when listening on the telephone. A number of complete telephone systems and in-line devices allow the user to adjust voice frequency.
  
• text telephone equipment: A teletypewriter or TTY (also known as a TDD, or telecommunications device for the deaf) is used when amplifying speech is not enough. The TTY consists of a keyboard and electronic display; it converts typed messages into electronic tones which are sent over a standard phone line, much like a fax machine. Communication is direct with anyone who has a similar device, or the Telecommunications Relay System can be used as a medium for communication. (Check your local directory for the number to call in your area.) Some computers with modems can be used to communicate with some of the most recent TTY units.
• pagers or beepers in text format can alert a deaf or hard-of-hearing employee to the need for telephone communication.

COMMUNICATING IN FORMAL BUSINESS SITUATIONS
Provide agendas or text materials prior to meetings or training courses to allow additional preparation time. After each meeting, distribute written meeting minutes. Consider environmental factors in group communication situations, and try to be aware of background noise, lighting, seating and positioning. Ensure accessibility of information on all videos used for employees.

• noise considerations: Hold meetings in a room that is carpeted, free of office machines and away from paths of heavy traffic (people and vehicles).
• sightlines: Use a round table (rather than square or rectangular) to open up sightlines for people who might lip read.
• distance issues: Allow the deaf or hard-of-hearing person to sit where they are comfortable, depending on their needs and the position of the interpreter or speaker.
• video: All videos used for employment purposes should be captioned, preferably using open captioning that appears onscreen and does not require special viewing equipment. You can send your training or initiation videos to a captioning service or purchase your own in-house captioning equipment. Or you can provide a transcript. (This option is less desirable, but if used, transcripts should be provided in advance.)

You may also provide interpretive assistance through interpreters or interpretive devices, including:

• assistive listening devices (ALDs): There are a variety of ALDs, with some operating on an FM radio frequency and other using infrared or induction loop technologies. In all systems, the presenter speaks into a microphone or transmitter, and the listener either uses a T-switch on their hearing aid or wears a receiver designed to work with the assistive listening device chosen.
• sign language interpreters: A qualified language interpreter is one who can both sign what is said to the individual and voice to the hearing person what is signed. The communication must be conveyed in an accurate, effective, impartial manner. In addition, qualified interpreters must be familiar with any specialized vocabulary used during communication. (For best results, make sure the interpreter is positioned against a dark, solid-color background with adequate lighting.)
• computer-assisted note taking (CAN) involves using a personal computer (and possibly a projector). A clerical support person sits in on the group activity, typing summaries of the communication taking place. The deaf or hard-of-hearing person can either watch the computer monitor or view text projected on a wall. (The drawback with CAN is that information provided is not word for word.)
• computer-assisted real-time transcription (CART) uses a stenographic keyboard attached to a computer, with special software that translates phonetic symbols into English. Viewing options are similar to CAN, and the advantage of CART is that it offers word-for-word translation. However, it is generally more expensive than CAN, and requires someone who is trained in the use of stenographic equipment.
  

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• cellular phones may substitute for CB radios, enabling workers to use either a portable TTY or amplification device, depending on the level of support required.
• two-way radios may also work with portable TTYs, if the device has a separate transmitter and receiver (enabling the two-way radio to be hooked up acoustically with a TTY).
• vibrating pager systems: Many pagers operate over telephone lines, while other stand-alone units are designed for use within a limited range. Pagers can provide a full-length message, and may allow the individual to respond directly, through the use of programmed messages.
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• fire or emergency alarms (and other important environmental sounds): You can substitute visual or tactile alert mechanisms for the traditional audible signal. (Remember to place visual alert systems away from windows where sunlight might overwhelm the signal.) Use a vibrating pager system, or provide alarms with lights (you can also hard-wire lights to your existing system). You might also choose to implement a "buddy system," where a coworker alerts the employee with a hearing loss, but the buddy system should never be relied on as the sole means of alert in an emergency situation.

• vehicles in the workplace: Forklifts, and other heavy equipment should follow established paths of travel. They must stop at intersections. Flashing lights on vehicles and strategically placed mirrors will enhance all workers' visual cues of the environment. Depending on the level of risk, the deaf or hard-of-hearing employee may choose to wear a hard hat or vest of a unique color to serve as a warning regarding the hearing limitation.
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AUDIO ALERTS
Many sounds that provide auditory cues can be replaced with an alternative.

• computer alerts: substitute screen or cursor flashes for the auditory cues that alert a user to errors, that e-mail has been received, or when there is a problem with the equipment.
• to replace a buzzer, telephone ring, doorbell, alarm clock, or equipment malfunction indication, use visual or tactile signals. For example, you can hardwire a light to a sound source for a visual cue, use a monitor/signaling device, or provide a vibrating signal. (The advantage of vibration is it alerts deaf or hard-of-hearing employees with minimal distraction to coworkers.)
• a specially trained hearing dog: If the employee has a hearing dog, the animal can indicate telephone rings, a person entering the room, or abnormal machinery sounds. (Hearing dogs do not--and should not--socialize in the work environment. It's not up to the employer to provide the dog, of course, but depending on the job, it may enhance productivity to allow the dog to work alongside your employee.)
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OTHER USEFUL ITEMS Dealing with extraneous noise: use sound-absorbing products such as carpeting, ceiling baffles, wall panels or cubicles don't allow the use of personal stereos in shared spaces provide a workspace free from extraneous sounds such as copy machines, faxes, printers Hearing protection: Some workers might benefit from wearing electronic hearing protection, which allows the frequency of the human voice to be heard but filters out unwanted noise. (Certain sounds can also be amplified with an adjustable volume control, if desired.) [BACK TO TOP]

DEALING WITH SPEECH IMPAIRMENTS
Many of the suggested accommodations above also apply to people who have speech impairments. One basic rule to keep in mind: if the impairment is aggravated by oral communication in a group, try to avoid unnecessary group settings. Minimize distractions and extraneous conversations. In addition, there are a variety of helpful tools available:

• electronic "speaking machines" may benefit certain speech difficulties
• voice amplification devices will help employees who cannot speak at sufficient volume to be understood
• voice synthesis devices can be added to computers to enhance communication
• delayed auditory feedback devices, which slow the arrival of information to a speed at which it can be processed, may provide benefits for stutterers
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