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Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 1
Tips for Hard of Hearing PeopleTips for Hard of Hearing People
in the Workplacein the WorkplaceBeth Wilson
SHHH Atlanta Convention 2003
BethJWilson@compuserve.com
This presentation may be freely used by any SHHH Chapters. It’s available for download from www.nchearingloss.org/programs.htm
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 2
Workshop Goals
Identify communication challenges in the workplace
ADA and employment Effective strategies Technology solutions
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 3
Tips for the Workplace The Problem
Myths and Assumptions Letting People Know The Office The Meeting
Coping Strategies Americans with Disabilities Act Facilities Technology
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 4
The Problem
Myths and Assumptions1. Hard of hearing = Deaf2. Lipreading3. Useable Volume and Background Noise4. Hearing Aids
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 5
1) Hard of Hearing isNot Just Less Deaf
loudness
frequency
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Cultural Labels Deaf
Part of Deaf culture/community Deafness is an identity
deaf Cannot hear well even with hearing aid Culturally hearing (translation: isolated)
Hard of hearing May hear better with a hearing aid Not hearing and not Deaf
My spouse thinks I can’t hear
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 7
You’re hard of hearing!So you can lipread, right?
Only when I want toget myself in trouble...
2. The Lipreading Myth
Hollywood Teaches Us:When someone loses their hearing they are able to
lipread as compensation
Reality Is:Lipreading is a difficult skill that few are able to master
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 8
Can you bowl next week against the
Tow Trucks?
Sure --I’ll be there!
?
An Example
Which Team is it Really? Navy Department 20 Navy Department 60 Raytheon A Raytheon B Coast Guard Army Marines
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! I hear the COAST GUARDhas a good team!
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Lipreading RealityLipreading is only successful when
the speaker never moves all the words are known the words are predictable
Only 1/3 of speech is visible on the lips
An “expert” lipreader is guessing at 66% of what is said!
Lipreading is critical to understanding Lipreading is a tool that helps Lipreading cannot be the only accommodation
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 11
How Does Lipreading Work?
““s” versus “f”s” versus “f” same except for the highest frequency sound the same with a high frequency loss they look different on the lips
Vocal Chords
Throat
Inside the mouth
How air is stopped(teeth, lips, none)
“s”“f”
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 12
Filling in the GapsHard of Hearing People Play
“fill in the gaps” to guess at the missing notes
U N DE R __ T A N D
ACO
P S
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 13
Losing the Race
U DE R __ T A D
ACO
P SN
N
In noise there are more gaps to fill.
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Competing Speech Is Worst
U Q DE R __ T A R D
ACO
P S
With nearby conversations we get extra words to sort out.
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 15
Eventually We Fall BehindWhen the next phrase arrives before we sorted out the previous one, it becomes
too hard to keep up.
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 16
3. Useable Volume
Can you turn it up, I can’t understand
the program
Volume = 5
Volume = 8
Perfect Ouch
Volume = 3
Can you turn it down, I can’t think over here.
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 17
Common Phenomenonfor Hard of Hearing People
Need “8” to understand Need “3” to ignore Everything in between is useless
This leads to misunderstandings about what This leads to misunderstandings about what volume is necessary:volume is necessary:
To hearTo hear
To understandTo understand
To concentrateTo concentrate
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 18
4. The Truth about Hearing Aids
Hearing aids do not “fix” hearing loss not like glasses external amplifier has to go through “bad” ear
Problems with hearing aids amplify background noise can have interference from equipment
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 19
The Problem
Letting PeopleKnow
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 20
Letting People Know
Describe Your Hearing Loss Sooner Not Later One-on-one: “before we get started” Large group: “my name is … and you should know …”
Include Specifics “I hear low tones” “I do okay if I can lipread the speaker”
Offer Suggestions “Things are easier if we leave the lights on” “I need people to face me when they speak” “I can’t lipread someone facing the screen”
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 21
Varying Accommodation Needs Office
Co-workers Visitors Telephone
Meetings Discussion Lectures Virtual
Emergencies (fire alarm)
You need different strategies for You need different strategies for different situations.different situations.
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 22
Variation for People
My loss is different Variations within the same setting
I can do that for an hour, but not all day I can understand familiar voices I have trouble with accents
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 23
Beth’s Example
Formula for AccommodationsFormula for Accommodations
One-on-One: Hearing aid Less than 7 People I Know: Hearing aid with “rules” Less than 7 New People: Loop Large Group, 1 Speaker: FM System Large Group, Discussion: Interpreter
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 24
The Problem
Office
(one-on-one)
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 25
Your Office
Move Your Furniture if You Can Work without distraction Don’t be startled when a visitor arrives Able to hear visitors that stop in
Let Them Know You are HOH “Face me” button Communication tips poster Knock loudly sign on the door
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 26
The Telephone
Phone Flasher Amplifier TTY Caller ID
“Hi, this is Beth Wilson. I can’t take your call right now but please leave a message for me after the tone. Because I am hard of hearing, I need you to speak clearly and state your name and number slowly. If I am not familiar with your name, and it is more complicated than my name, it would also be helpful if you would spell it for me. Thank you.”
Answering Machine TipAnswering Machine Tip
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 27
Your Computer
You can use a loop in the headphone jack Sound applications muted Play as loud as you want! Directly to your hearing aid
IP Relay available Use email to clarify understanding
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 28
The Problem
Meetings
(group)
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The Meeting Speak up About the Seating Arrangements
“I need to have my back to the window so I can lipread” “I can’t sit near the projector, it is all I hear on my hearing aid” “That beard needs to be directly across
from me” Speak Up About Your Needs
Some lights during a presentation “Who is speaking?”
Use Humor to Ease the Situation “My answers will be more entertaining than I intended if we
don’t turn the lights back on.” “Unless you’re going to give that wall my action items you
need to turn around.”
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 30
Cost-free Accommodations
Suggested Seating Arrangements Back to the window Away from a projector People difficult to hear closer Main speaker closer
Rules of Conduct Lights up during a presentation Speakers talk one at a time Speakers identified
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 31
Ask What to Expect
How many people will be speaking? How close will I be able to sit? Will there be videos? What is the format?
Lecture Discussion
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Coping Strategies
ADA Title I:Employment
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 33
ADA Impact
Companies with 15 or more employees
Employment agencies Unions
July 26, 1994
(15 or more employees) July 1992
(25 or more employees)
ADA Applies to:ADA Applies to: EffectiveEffective
Federal government (covered under 504) Indian tribes Tax-exempt private membership clubs
Who is “Exempt”?Who is “Exempt”?
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 34
Qualified Individual ADA focuses on job performance, not marginal duties
applying for a job or promotion maintaining current job
Answering telephone not necessarily “part of the job” answering a telephone is often a marginal duty Illinois case (1989) time and attendance clerk position can this responsibility be transferred to another employee? can modifications to telephone equipment help?
Qualified Individual Is:Qualified Individual Is:
“one who, with or without reasonable accommodation, is able to perform the essential functions of the employment position held or desired.”
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 35
Reasonable Accommodation Reasonable Accommodation Definition Includes
making existing workplace accessible job restructuring acquisition of equipment modification of equipment
Equipment Includes telecommunication devices assistive listening devices
Reasonable Accommodation:Reasonable Accommodation:
“modifications or adjustments to the job application process and the workplace to allow a disabled person to perform the essential functions of the job.”
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 36
Coping Strategies
ADA Coordinator
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 37
Introduce Yourself
Find out who in HR can help you before you need help
Brainstorm potential settings Mandatory trainings Virtual meetings Fire alarms and other emergencies
Develop an action plan HR to identify existing solutions You can identify technology options
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 38
Telephone
Phone Flashers Volume Control TTY
Meetings and Classes• Inductive Loops
• FM Equipment
• Infrared Equipment
• Captioning
Accessories Accessories Company Company
Should Should ProvideProvide
Accommodations Accommodations Company Company
Should ArrangeShould Arrange
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 39
Coping Strategies
Facilities
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 40
I Never Thought of That...
Will You Be Able to Hear:the fire alarma page over the PA systema plant closing over the radioa speaker at a security gateintercoma warning signal (ex. truck backing up)the mandatory ethics video
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 41
The Unexpected Talk to Your ADA Coordinator
bring up issues when you think of them offer solutions or resources to find them
Offer Alternatives for Short Term transcript of mandatory training video person responsible for notifying you until
visual fire alarm installed Reward Good Behavior
“I noticed that video was captioned” “I saw the note about special needs on
the class announcement” award or citation for “model behavior”
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 42
Coping Strategies
Technology
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 43
Hearing Aid Accessories
FM coupled with hearing aid Phonak Microlink Phonic Ear Lexis
Directional Microphones Link-It D-Hear
Microlink: www.phonak.comLexis: www.phonicear.comLink-It: www.etymotic.comD-Hear: www-isl.stanford.edu/~widrow
Price: $1,000-2,000
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 44
Personal Amplifier
Description Handheld directional microphone Connect with earpiece or loop
Advantages Portable Easy solution Can be quickly moved to another speaker
Disadvantages Close to speaker Can’t be shy
Price: $100-200
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 45
FM Equipment Description
Use FM radio signals Microphone near speaker Wireless receiver (earpiece or loop)
Advantages Distance from speaker Direct link to speaker Can use outside Portable
Disadvantages Can only hear speaker Must arrange for speaker to wear Cannot use in closed setting
Price: $500-800
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 46
IR Equipment Description
Use infrared light signals Microphone near speaker, connected to IR transmitter Wireless receiver (earpiece or loop)
Advantages Line of sight
Cannot bleed into next room Can use in “closed” setting
Distance from speaker Disadvantages
More setup than FM Cannot use outside Interference when light blocked
Price: Personal: $200System: $1,000
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 47
Inductive Loops Description
Magnetic field established to transmit signal Receive with T-switch on hearing aid Personal loops now available
Advantages Convenient for hearing aid user No need to self-identify After initial setup, easy to use
Disadvantages Must be installed or set up For permanent or portable loop, must conceal loop
Install in ceiling Tape down loop on floor
Price: Personal: $300Room: $1,000
www.hearingloop.org
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 48
Interpreters/Captioning Description
Specialist trained to translate spoken English Real-time translation in sign or text
Advantages No hearing required Can handle multiple speakers No individual receivers required
Disadvantages Have to arrange in advance Human -- breaks needed Recurring cost Need clearance for classified setting
Price: $50-150/hour
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 49
Remote Options Growing Relay
Telephone calls with single speaker Typist at 50 wpm (speakers talk over 200 wpm) Wait for operator to be available
Video Relay Service Video for sign instead of text Cannot arrange in advance
CapTel Revoicing instead of typing Text with less delay
Remote Captioning/Interpreting Arrange in advance Pay for service (same as captioner/interpreter) Good accommodation for virtual meetings
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 50
Technology OptionsPrice Personal 1-time
CostPrior Setup
User Can Be Anon
Closed Setting
Hearing Aid Accessories
$1,000 - 2,000
X X X
Personal Amplifier
$100 - 200
X X X
FM $500 - 800
X X Coordinate w/ speaker
IR P: $200
R: 1,000
(X)
Personal
X Set up transmitter
X
Loop P: $300
R: $1,000
(X)
Personal
X Yes X
Interpreter/ Captioning
$50-150/ hour
Yes X (X)
If cleared
Remote Sign/Caption
$50-150/ hour
Yes
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 51
Summary Don’t try to hide your hearing loss Initiate discussions
Meeting a person New situation
Offer strategies You have the best ideas Be firm about your communication Creativity is a tool
Offer alternatives
Submitted by Beth Wilson, RI SHHH 52
Become a Valuable Employee!Become a Valuable Employee!
BethJWilson@compuserve.com
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