How They Did It

Beauty Salon:
Hair Stylist

PROBLEM: Last week a long-time customer stormed out of the Clip Joint, angry because 32-year-old stylist Sharon Darrow had trimmed her bangs way too short. Then last Wednesday, Sharon missed two appointments with new clients. When her boss Tony told her a funny joke and she didn't even crack a smile, he suspected the troubles might be related to her hearing and they sat down to talk about the situation.

BACKGROUND: Back when Sharon was a teenager in high school, she was fitted with an analogue hearing aid in her left ear to correct a moderate-to-severe hearing loss. (She also has mild-to-moderate hearing loss in her right ear.) The amplification has helped, and Sharon hears low-frequency sounds well, though she struggles at times with speech and other sounds in the high-frequency range.

Sharon's done well as a stylist, and has a devoted following. Her tasks include cutting and styling hair, operating a cash register, using the phone to set appointments, and attending staff meetings and training seminars. Until recently, she had no problems following the conversations of her customers and fellow staff members. However, now Sharon's hearing loss has progressed to where she is having difficulty hearing what her customers say to her in person and on the phone. She recognizes the need for additional accommodations to help her communicate effectively. And it goes almost without saying, Sharon's boss values the work that she does (and the customers she brings in!) and wants to help her do her job competently again.

SOLUTION: For about $150, the Clip Joint purchased a hearing-aid compatible phone (they bought a cordless unit, but stand-alone models are available for $100-$150 depending on the decibel-boost required). They added a ring-signaller with a light hookup, so Sharon can see when the phone rings, too. (Cost: an additional $20-75.) Sharon asked for a model that has a high-frequency hearing loss adjustment; with that and the volume increase the phone offers, she's now able to hear clients very well.

For another $150, Sharon now has a personal amplification system. (These devices run from about $150-200.) Hers is a Pocketalker, and it includes a portable amplified unit, plug-mount mike, TV/AV output listening cord and case. It's useful for one-on-one communication as well as TV listening. The unit helps reduce background noise and offers a 20 dB high frequency boost as well as increased volume. For $55 more, Sharon got a neckloop telecoil coupler with an 18" cord that works in conjunction with her hearing aid (she has a telecoil type, with a T-switch).

She can plug the neckloop into the receiver earphone jack on her Pocketalker…and she can also use it with other FM or infrared devices. That allows her the freedom to pick up sounds via the signals being sent to her hearing aid telecoil without using earphones. (That's a very useful tool for her in the salon.)

If Sharon needed to participate in more formal training sessions or group situations, her employer might have bought a wireless personal assistive listening system ($500-750). This FM unit includes a body pack transmitter, receiver, plug and lapel mikes, and mini earphone. It provides the same benefits as Sharon's Pocketalker, but the added wireless receiver allows a hard-of-hearing person to listen to speakers from distances up to 50 feet away. In a group situation, the small, cordless microphone with the transmitter can be passed easily from one speaker to the next. It, too, can be used with neckloop T-coil coupler to eliminate the need for earphones.

Sharon's still getting used to her new equipment but it's already clear to her boss that the benefits of integrating the accommodations into the workplace include increased productivity and motivation, fewer errors and mistakes, improved communication--and decreased job-related stress. (As for that client with the too-short bangs? She reports her boyfriend likes the new look, and no, she's not really angry anymore.)